PARIS, May 4 — Language barriers and dubious accommodations have emerged the biggest obstacles in travel, according to a global survey which aims to gauge how adventurous and fearless travellers are today.

The findings of a Booking.com survey of 20,500 global travellers reveal insight into the biggest fears and anxieties that hold people back from booking new and unfamiliar vacation destinations, and compel families to book the same all-inclusive resort year after year, or never leave the country.

About two-thirds (63 per cent) of respondents admitted they’re not adventurous travellers, while 44 per cent expressed a desire to push the boundaries and try something new — what Booking.com calls the "limitless traveller.”

The biggest obstacles holding people back from being the intrepid globetrotter they want to be? Language barriers (28 per cent), the fear of getting lost in a foreign country without speaking the local language (20 per cent), and finding the right accommodations (34 per cent) were identified as the top concerns.

Likewise, more than a quarter (26 per cent) expressed anxiety about being in unfamiliar situations while travelling.

Meanwhile, volunteering trips or voluntourism was cited as the top travel adventure and getaway people would like to book but are too afraid to try, followed by gourmet adventures, sabbatical trips. — AFP-Relaxnews