ShanghaiJune 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On May 26, Allianz Partners, the global leader in rescue and insurance services under the Allianz Group, together with Allianz China Life Insurance Co., Ltd. and JD Allianz Property Insurance Co., Ltd., jointly released the Chinese version of the 2026 Allianz Global Travel Confidence Index. The survey shows that global travel intent remains strong, reaching 74% overall; among Chinese travelers, travel intent is as high as 81%. China is also the market with the highest awareness of travel insurance globally: 88% of Chinese travelers have already purchased or plan to purchase travel insurance for the upcoming summer trips, with “seeking a worry-free experience” being the primary motivation for buying travel insurance, to cope with unexpected incidents and medical emergencies.
This survey, commissioned by Allianz Partners and conducted by IPSOS from March 20 to April 14, 2026, covered 10 major global markets[1], delving into consumers’ travel preferences, behavioral trends, and demand for travel insurance.
Travel Demand Remains Strong, but Increasingly Shifts Toward Domestic Trips
This summer, domestic travel has become the top choice for many travelers, with 42% of people globally planning domestic vacations. This trend is particularly pronounced in China, reaching 59%, reflecting a preference for cost-effective travel while enjoying familiar scenery and supporting the domestic tourism industry.
Due to rising travel costs, while people’s willingness to travel has not diminished, their spending plans have been adjusted, with a general tightening of budgets and prioritization of core travel expenses. There are significant differences in average expected travel spending per capita across regions. This survey shows that vacation spending expectations in Europe and the Americas have dropped markedly compared to last year, while Chinese tourists’ planned per capita travel budgets remain at a high level.
Pet-friendly travel and luxury tourism remain niche in Europe but are more common in China and India. 57% of Chinese travelers wish to travel with pets, and 67% plan to spend more on premium travel experiences.
Travel planning is increasingly driven by technology, with artificial intelligence being widely used, especially in China and India. 88% of Chinese travelers have already used or are using AI to help plan their trips.
Travel Anxiety Among Younger Generations: Safety, Health, and Extreme Weather as Top Three Concerns
Global travelers face numerous concerns when planning summer trips, with key issues including economic pressures, global instability and security worries, health risks, and logistical challenges. For Chinese travelers, the most concerning issues are, in order: public health (91%), extreme weather risks (90%), safety (88%), and health risks during travel (87%).
Notably, Chinese travelers under 35 appear more prone to travel anxiety than those over 50, particularly regarding: medical emergencies (84%), loss of travel documents (84%), lost or delayed luggage (82%), and accidental damage to electronic devices (75%).
Insurance as a “Peace of Mind Pill”: Chinese Travelers Rank First Globally in Insurance Awareness, 88% Have Purchased or Plan to Purchase
Currently, travel insurance has far exceeded its traditional coverage scope—it has become a cornerstone for people to enjoy their vacations with peace of mind and confidence. China is the market with the highest awareness of travel insurance globally. The index shows that 88% of Chinese travelers have already purchased or plan to purchase insurance for the upcoming summer trips. The main motivations center on obtaining medical assistance, achieving a worry-free travel experience, and guarding against unexpected events.
Consequently, Chinese travelers place particular emphasis on health protection and financial security during travel. In terms of service demands, Chinese travelers rank first globally: 93% seek a worry-free experience, 92% focus on preventing unexpected events, and 91% value medical assistance. When choosing an insurance company, Chinese travelers also value: flexible coverage (60%), fast claims processing (56%), proactive claims (automatic insurance claims triggered by predetermined events) (39%), and a reliable medical network (37%). Additionally, in terms of mobile applications, Chinese travelers prioritize 24/7 customer service and emergency services (53%). They also value digital claims processing and policy management to streamline the insurance process (43%).
“The release of the ‘2026 Allianz Global Travel Confidence Index’ shows that Chinese travelers’ enthusiasm and confidence in travel remain high, while also demonstrating higher demands for travel experiences and protection. It is particularly noteworthy that China has become the market with the highest awareness of travel insurance globally, reflecting not only Chinese consumers’ high regard for travel safety and health protection but also their pursuit of a worry-free travel experience. Travel insurance products on the market vary, but what travelers care about most is whether they can receive timely, professional, and reliable protection once an incident occurs.“Wang Li, Managing Director of Allianz Partners China, stated, “As a global leader in the B2B2C service sector integrating rescue and insurance solutions, Allianz Partners boasts the world’s largest medical rescue network. With over 70 years of professional experience in travel insurance and travel rescue, a global medical rescue network covering more than 200 countries and regions, and over 2.1 million partner healthcare providers, we build a solid safety net for travelers worldwide. In the future, Allianz Partners will continue to collaborate with industry partners, committed to providing Chinese travelers with more flexible, convenient, and personalized insurance solutions, helping them explore the world with peace of mind and enjoy the beauty of travel.”
Cui Cui, Executive Director and CEO of Allianz China Life Insurance, stated: “Public travel continues to show an upward trend, and Allianz China Life’s travel insurance business has maintained steady and robust growth, thanks to the trust and recognition from customers and the market. Looking ahead, we will further enrich the product supply in the travel insurance category, always adhering to the mission of ‘Together with Allianz, Protect the Future,’ safeguarding every step of our customers’ journeys worldwide with professional protection and meticulous service, ensuring every trip starts with peace of mind and arrives with ease.”
Liang Haijian, General Manager of JD Allianz, stated: “As a key member of the Allianz Group in China, JD Allianz has always leveraged JD.com’s digital ecosystem and Allianz’s global rescue network to continuously optimize the product supply and claims experience of travel insurance. The ‘Priority Rescue’ service mechanism we launched in 2024 is specifically designed to respond to sudden medical emergencies during travel—whether or not it falls within the policy coverage, we will assist customers in obtaining nearby medical treatment as a first priority. In the future, JD Allianz will continue to be customer-centric, providing Chinese travelers with more flexible, faster, and warmer protection, ensuring every departure is fearless and composed.”
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About Allianz Partners
Part of the Allianz Group, Allianz Partners is a global leader in the B2B2C service sector, integrating rescue and insurance solutions, dedicated to providing global solutions in the professional fields of international health and life, travel insurance, mobility protection, and rescue services. Our business spans 73 countries and regions worldwide, focusing on providing peace of mind protection to customers around the globe. In the travel sector, Allianz Partners has over 70 years of professional experience in travel insurance and travel rescue, collaborating with airlines, OTAs, cruise lines, travel agencies, and other institutions to offer the broadest range of travel protection solutions. Allianz Partners provides services in 70 languages, 24/7 global emergency medical rescue, and various travel assistance services, with a medical network covering more than 200 countries and regions. In addition to its in-house medical expert team, it has over 2.1 million healthcare service providers, completing over 10,000 medical transfers and repatriations globally each year. Furthermore, it offers convenient digital and intelligent services. Allianz Partners makes travelers’ experiences more worry-free.
About Allianz China Life Insurance
Allianz China Life Insurance Co., Ltd. (referred to as Allianz China Life), headquartered in Shanghai, officially opened for business in 1999 and is the first life insurance company in China to transition from a joint venture to a wholly foreign-owned entity. As the only life insurance company of the Allianz Group (headquartered in Munich, Germany) in China, Allianz China Life leverages the group’s over 135 years of insurance and risk management experience and its globally leading brand influence to deeply cultivate the local mid-to-high-end life insurance market for many years. The company consistently adheres to the mission of “Together with Allianz, Protect the Future,” and through a comprehensive marketing network comprising agency channels and partner channels, firmly implements the corporate strategy of “Deepening Wealth and Health, Forging Resilient Growth,” committed to providing professional and comprehensive insurance solutions for Chinese consumers.
About JD Allianz
JD Allianz Insurance is a joint venture formed by JD.com and the Allianz Group, one of the world’s leading financial services groups. Leveraging JD.com’s rich ecosystem resources and strong digital capabilities, combined with Allianz Group’s over 135 years of risk management experience, it provides e-commerce internet insurance, accident and health insurance, auto insurance, and more for corporate and individual clients. It is committed to becoming the most trustworthy insurance service provider. In 2025, the company’s premium business revenue reached 7.4 billion RMB. Currently, the company has branches in Guangdong, Shanghai, Beijing, Sichuan, and Shenzhen. In 2024, JD Allianz launched the “Priority Rescue” service mechanism. For insured persons under JD Allianz travel insurance policies, if they unfortunately suffer a sudden accident or acute illness during their insured trip that is life-threatening and requires emergency transfer to a nearby medical institution for treatment, JD Allianz will initiate the “Priority Rescue” service as a first priority, regardless of whether it falls within the policy coverage scope, to assist the insured person in obtaining nearby medical treatment.
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[1] The 10 major markets surveyed include China, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, India, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States. |