Travelers Shrug Off Quakes and Eruptions, But Some Destinations Are Avoided

 12 August 2025

Recent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes have done little to deter global travel plans, according to the Global Rescue Summer 2025 Traveler Safety and Sentiment Survey. Regardless of age, gender, or nationality, the overwhelming majority of the world’s most experienced travelers remain unfazed by natural disasters — although a cautious minority is selectively avoiding certain high-risk destinations. 

After the Santorini, Greece, earthquake, nearly 9 out of 10 travelers said the incident had no effect on their willingness to visit destinations in active earthquake zones. A similar pattern emerged around volcanic activity. When asked if the Mount Etna and Lewotobi Laki Laki eruptions made them less willing to visit volcano sites, most travelers said no. 

“The data shows that earthquakes and eruptions are not deterring most travelers,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce. “But for a small group of travelers, concerns about environmental risk are real — and they're choosing destinations more carefully as a result.” 

Among travelers who said they are reconsidering trips to destinations in earthquake zones, Kathmandu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Tokyo and Kyoto lead the list. By contrast, destinations in earthquake zone with the least concern among travelers include: Vancouver, Auckland, Wellington and Santiago. 

Age played a modest role in shaping reactions. Travelers under 35 years old were more than twice as likely to say they were “much less willing” to visit volcano sites (7%) compared to older travelers. 

Gender differences were also notable. Women were 44% more likely than men to say they were “a little less willing” to visit volcano sites (17% vs. 11%). Nearly twice as many women said they would avoid Kathmandu compared to men (7% vs 4%), 50% more women would avoid Manila compared to men, and 25% more women would bypass Tokyo/Kyoto compared to men. 

“Despite these distinctions, the overarching trend is clear: the vast majority of travelers are not letting isolated natural disasters derail their travel plans,” Richards said.