Infectious diseases will remain a significant threat to travelers in 2025. Here’s how to stay safe.
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Hackers. Thieves. Infectious diseases.
According to experts, these are the biggest security threats in 2025.
“Right now there is a lot of uncertainty when it comes to travel safety,” said Joe Cronin, CEO of International Citizen Insurance.
Even the professionals get nervous. Safety concerns are one of the top reasons why business travelers refuse business trips, according to the latest data SAP Concur Global business travel research.
It will be an interesting year to be on the road, security professionals say. And by ‘interesting’ they mean ‘dangerous’.
So let’s talk about the new safety issues in 2025 and how to travel safely next year. I’ll also tell you how I’m preparing for one of the most uncertain years since the pandemic.
What are the new security threats in 2025?
Security experts say the coming year will bring new threats.
- Cybersecurity. “It’s a top priority,” said Shaun Boulter, global head of operations and security AXA partners. “Our travelers and customers are increasingly asking for advice on how to protect themselves.” And with good reason. This year, cybersecurity was one of the most talked about topics (and concerns) as hackers breached businesses and political campaigns. Boulter says education is key to preventing disaster: travelers should take proactive steps, such as ensuring their digital security is up to date with VPNs and strong passwords.
- Violence against tourists. “There have been numerous anti-tourism protests in many countries that are seen as highly attractive travel destinations – in Europe and elsewhere,” said Brittany Lewis, security operations supervisor at Travel guard. Her team has seen tourists being targeted, “and we have even heard directly from customers who have experienced harassment in various locations.” Lewis says the trend is likely to continue into 2025.
- New infectious diseases. “The health risks are changing as newer forms of COVID-19 emerge,” said Michael Sheridan, who teaches at Temple University’s Japan campus. He’s right; COVID cases began to rise in late 2024 as flu season began. Sheridan recommends checking with your GP or local pharmacy for a dose of the latest vaccine to help protect you against COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
Cronin, the CEO of International Citizens Insurance, has been following the political unrest that can affect travelers in recent months. This includes rising tensions in the Middle East and election-related violence in other places, including the United States. He sees this continuing until 2025.
He says the best way to avoid such uncertainty is to review regulations travel advice issued by the U.S. Department of State and plan accordingly.
Here’s how to travel more safely in 2025
Let’s state the obvious. If you want to be safe in 2025, stay home. The world has always been a dangerous place and it is not getting any safer. But there are ways to limit some of the risk, professionals say.
Make sure your travel insurance covers safety issues
Look for comprehensive coverage, including trip cancellation, medical evacuation, and protection against natural disasters and political unrest. “Prepare for the unexpected,” advises Raymond Yorke, spokesperson for Redpoint travel protectiona travel insurance company. That means running a worst-case scenario before you travel and making sure you’re covered for any event.
Work with someone who has your back
This means that you work with a professional travel advisor or with a company that focuses on reducing travel risks. And don’t just let them send you a link to more safety resources. Susan Sherren, running Couture traveloffers its customers a pre-trip Zoom session shortly before their departure date. The added information and frank discussion about crime help set expectations. “Our customers leave their homes with a proactive attitude,” she says. And that has helped them avoid problems.
Pay attention to your computer
It’s not just the usual cyber threats that experts are concerned about. Artificial intelligence does that too. “The proliferation of AI is a looming threat,” said Harding Bush, deputy director of the Department of Security Global rescue. The reason: Tech scams, including deepfake scams, identity impersonation, and misleading travel advice from bots, can put travelers at risk, especially when booking their trips or managing their itineraries.
This is the year to play it safe with international travel
John Rose, chief risk and safety officer at ALTOURsays the geopolitical situation worries him most. “It’s the bigger risk,” he says. “It’s not just the election cycles that have happened or will happen around the world, but also the conflicts.” Rose says you should be “very, very careful” when planning a trip in 2025, taking into account the volatile geopolitical situation. In other words, 2025 could be the year to play it safer when it comes to travel safety – especially when it comes to international travel.
Where are the hotspots? Robert Siciliano, CEO of ProtectNowLLC.comshowed me the map. It includes the Middle East, Ukraine, Venezuela and Taiwan. And of course there is also the unpredictability of American politics.
“Now more than ever, it is important to have a broader awareness and pay special attention to countries’ positions towards Americans,” he added.
There are real-time risk assessment tools that can help. For example, World travel protection Travel Assist Management Portal and Travel Assist App provide customers with real-time updates on safety risks, natural disasters and health threats.
Is it too dangerous to travel in 2025?
I have planned my trips for 2025. And I admit there was a point when I thought it might make sense to avoid certain parts of the world, or even stay home.
I’ve also fielded questions from nervous travelers on my consumer advocacy site asking: Is it safe to go there? Is it safe to go? everywhere?
I can’t afford to stop traveling, even if some destinations aren’t exactly State Department Level 1 certified. I spent some time in the Middle East over the Thanksgiving holiday and will be in Southeast Asia this winter. There are some places on my itinerary that I will really have to be on my toes.
But if I could afford to quit, would I?
After asking the experts, I have a pretty good idea of what to expect. Yes, traveling will be dangerous in 2025. But if you plan in advance, do your homework, and pay close attention to the new threats, it won’t be that dangerous.
As Charlie Sultan, the president of Concur Travel at SAP Concur, told me, “It is impossible to completely eliminate travel-related risks.”
This applies to travel inside each year.