TCS Travel Barometer 2026: Travel in times of global crises and conflicts – security concerns shape travel behaviour

Global crises and conflicts are shaping the Swiss population’s sense of security. A third (33%) have come across news stories in the last twelve months that have influenced their own travel plans – the highest figure since records began. These news stories are predominantly viewed as negative, and the perceived level of uncertainty regarding travel abroad has also risen compared with last year. At the same time, it is clear that this perception does not lead to people giving up travelling altogether. Rather, travel decisions are being adjusted, for example by choosing alternative destinations.

As uncertainty rises, so does the need for reliable guidance. For the majority, traditional media is the most important source for assessing travel risks (74%). In addition, official bodies such as the FDFA (56%) and online travel portals (54%) are used. Other sources of information, by contrast, remain significantly less widespread, with social media (25%) and AI applications (16%) playing a comparatively minor role. The focus therefore remains on established channels that are perceived as credible.

Despite growing uncertainties, travel activity among the Swiss population remains largely stable. There has even been a slight increase in the desire to travel abroad. Changes in travel behaviour are therefore primarily evident in the choice of destinations. North America is losing its appeal, whilst Europe is gaining ground. This shift suggests a greater preference for destinations that are geographically closer and perceived as safer.

Security concerns also influence the nature of travel. This is reflected, for example, in the fact that support for travel away from mass tourism has fallen significantly compared with the previous year (65%, down 12 percentage points). A look at the sub-groups reveals that the more uncertain respondents feel about the situation abroad, the less likely they are to deliberately choose travel options outside established tourist routes. This suggests that security concerns are leading to a greater preference for familiar and structured forms of travel. In line with this, awareness of risks has remained stable at an elevated level over recent years. For instance, 62 per cent of respondents state that they have become more cautious due to global uncertainties.

City breaks are the most popular type of holiday, accounting for 47 per cent, followed by nature and countryside holidays (43 per cent) and beach holidays (41 per cent). Differences emerge by age: younger people prefer beach holidays, whilst older people are more likely to choose nature holidays. Social aspects also play a role: 56 per cent regularly travel with friends or acquaintances. However, travel planning varies. Whilst around half tend to plan at short notice (up to three months in advance), a similarly large proportion organise their trips further in advance.

With the increased focus on popular destinations, typical issues are coming to the fore more frequently. For instance, overtourism (34%) and waiting times and traffic jams (28%) are increasingly perceived as a nuisance. Delays and cancellations in transport are also affecting more travellers (25%, +9 percentage points) than in the previous year. Other aspects, such as price levels or infrastructure, remain stable, however, whilst still being relevant to a section of the population.