International travel is not slowing down.
A recent report from International Medical Group examines autumn travel plans for 2026. It shows that people want to cross borders more than ever.
The data comes from looking at over 40,000 member itineraries. These trips are scheduled between September 1st and November 30th. Policy purchases for autumn trips jumped by 15% compared to last year.
“Our autumn travel data reflects continued confidence among international travelers,” said Grant Hayes, Global Head of Travel for IMG. He noted that people are planning more trips and spending more money on their adventures. In fact, the average cost of an insured trip rose by nearly 6%.


So where is everyone going? Mexico holds the top spot for the fourth year in a row. The other top international destinations include Italy, Canada, the Bahamas, and the United Kingdom. The Bahamas just pushed Spain out of the top five list.
Here’s the official list:
1. Mexico
2. Italy
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3. Canada
4. Bahamas
5. United Kingdom
Older adults are driving a lot of this movement. Nearly half of the travelers in the report are age 65 or older. In fact, 15% of these travelers are at least 75 years old.
“International travel continues to resonate across generations, particularly among retirees who have both the time and flexibility to explore the world,” said Justin Poehler, IMG Chief Commercial Officer.


When trips cost more and stretch across longer periods, people think more about safety. Poehler points out that “as more travelers invest in meaningful travel experiences, having the right protection and support remains an important part of trip planning.”
Travelers want serenity while they seek a solid mix of cultural sights and pure relaxation.



