• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
LeadershipDonald Trump

Where in the world have the 2016 Republicans been? The answer, in 11 maps

By
Tory Newmyer
Tory Newmyer
and
Stacy Jones
Stacy Jones
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Tory Newmyer
Tory Newmyer
and
Stacy Jones
Stacy Jones
Down Arrow Button Icon
September 17, 2015, 4:56 PM ET
Republican Candidates Take Part In Debates At Reagan Library In Simi Valley
SIMI VALLEY, CA-SEPTEMBER. 16: Republican presidential candidates (R-L) Carly Fiorina, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Jeb Bush during the Republican presidential debates at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley on September 16, 2015. Fifteen Republican presidential candidates are participating in the second of presidential debates(Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)Photograph by Sandy Huffaker — Getty Images

During her breakout performance in the Republican debate on Wednesday night, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina dropped a classic humblebrag about her frequent-flier status.

Fiorina, attacking Hillary Clinton’s record as Secretary of State, suggested the Democratic frontrunner’s globetrotting in that role was nothing to crow about. “Like Mrs. Clinton, I, too, have traveled hundreds of thousands of miles around the globe,” she said. “But unlike Mrs. Clinton, I know flying is an activity, not an accomplishment.”

True to the form, Fiorina implied her boast was no such thing by quickly diminishing it. But if the candidate didn’t want voters to know how well-traveled she is — and associate all that mileage with the worldliness befitting a president — she wouldn’t have wasted valuable airtime by constructing her criticism around it. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham made the link between travel and experience more directly in the “undercard” debate that preceded the main event on Wednesday night. Talking up his grasp of the Middle Eastern conflicts he wants front and center in the primary, he said, “I’ve been there 35 times to Iraq and Afghanistan. I am ready to be commander-in-chief on Day One.”

So, just how many times have the leading contenders for the GOP presidential nod had their respective passports stamped? A new survey by Hitlist, a travel app, crowd-sourced the answer on Reddit then followed up with the campaigns. Fortune got an exclusive first look at what they found — and we also reached out to the campaigns to confirm the results. Only representatives for frontrunner Donald Trump and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul replied (go figure), so keep in mind this list may not be completely complete. But it nevertheless offers a potentially revealing snapshot of the international travel habits of those who aspire to become the preeminent world leader.

Carly Fiorina

Fiorina does indeed appear to have seen a lot of the world, though she only ranks fourth in the field for countries visited in her lifetime — behind Bush, Trump, and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. She logged much of her travel during her tenure at HP but got an early start by studying abroad in England and Ghana and teaching English in Italy.

carly-fiorina
Graphic by Stacy Jones for Fortune

Jeb Bush

The former Florida governor laps the field when it comes to seeing the world, having touched down in nearly twice as many countries as his nearest rival — and nearly a quarter of all nations on Earth. Like Fiorina, travel abroad made a major impact on Bush at an early age: He met his wife, Columba, at the age of 17 when he was studying in the village outside of León, Mexico.

jeb-bush
Graphic by Stacy Jones for Fortune

Donald Trump

No surprise for a guy who owns his own Boeing 757, the Republican frontrunner gets around. And he’s always got a business excuse to wing out of the country — a new golf course in Ireland, a Miss Universe pageant in Panama, casinos and resorts all over the world, yuge, very successful — by now, you surely know the routine.

donald-trump
Graphic by Stacy Jones for Fortune

Mike Huckabee

You wouldn’t peg the former Arkansas governor for a globetrotter, considering his carefully cultivated downhome image. But the onetime Fox News host has collected proverbial stickers on his suitcase from visits to warzones in the Middle East, trade missions to East Asia, and a weeklong antipoverty mission to Rwanda.

mike-huckabee
Graphic by Stacy Jones for Fortune

Chris Christie

The New Jersey governor has earned some unwelcome attention for his international travel. A New York Times report earlier this year detailed the lux accommodations he and his family enjoyed on a 2012 trip to Israel and Jordan, including traveling on a private plane loaned by casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson.

chris-christie
Graphic by Stacy Jones for Fortune

Ted Cruz

The Texan firebrand has made a get-tough approach to immigration a centerpiece of his bid, belying his international origins: His father was a Cuban refugee, and the Senator himself was born in Canada. He appears to have logged much of his travel abroad in recent years on Congressional delegations.

ted-cruz
Graphic by Stacy Jones for Fortune

John Kasich

Over three decades in and out of public office, Kasich has had plenty of opportunities to see the world on the taxpayer dime. And he’s seen everything from the bombed-out war zone of post-civil war Bosnia to the rarified air of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

john-kasich[1]
Graphic by Stacy Jones for Fortune

Marco Rubio

Like Cruz, the junior Florida senator traces his origins to Cuba. And he’s worked to distinguish himself in the 2016 field as a leader ready for the world stage, drawing on his experience serving on the Foreign Relations and Intelligence committees in the Senate. And in a relatively short career on the Hill, he’s touched down on four continents on official trips.

marco-rubio
Graphic by Stacy Jones for Fortune

Scott Walker

The Wisconsin governor earned some ribbing from President Obama earlier this year after he suggested he’s equipped to confront ISIS based on his experience battling labor unions at home. And his first-hand experience of the world beyond our borders appears relatively limited, though he’s stepped up his international travel this year as his presidential bid ground into gear.

scott-walker
Graphic by Stacy Jones for Fortune

Rand Paul

The Kentucky senator has bristled at being characterized as an isolationist, and he worked during the Wednesday debate to emphasize he favors robust engagement abroad as an alternative to armed conflict. When it comes to seeing the world for himself, however, the libertarian-minded candidate has mostly abstained, visiting only four other countries — Israel, Jordan, Guatemala, and Haiti.

rand-paul
Graphic by Stacy Jones for Fortune

Ben Carson

Among the top tier of Republican candidates, the retired neurosurgeon appears to have a singularly limited history of travel abroad. The Hitlist survey shows he’s only been to Israel. But this may be a place where the report misses some of Carson’s experience.

ben-carson
Graphic by Stacy Jones for Fortune

About the Authors
By Tory Newmyer
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
By Stacy Jones
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Leadership

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Leadership

Macquarie bets impact investing can fill an Asian financial access gap for the ‘missing middle’
AsiaAustralia
Macquarie bets impact investing can fill an Asian financial access gap for the ‘missing middle’
By Nicholas GordonApril 1, 2026
3 hours ago
jamie dimon
Workplace Culturereturn to office
Jamie Dimon, office-work champion, vows his anti-remote culture ‘would crush you.’ The economy’s top talent begs to differ
By Jake AngeloApril 1, 2026
5 hours ago
Ayesha and Stephen Curry
C-Suitephilanthropy
Warren Buffett revives his legendary charity lunch auction—this time with Stephen Curry. His last one raised $19 million
By Jacqueline MunisApril 1, 2026
6 hours ago
How AI will make your Shake Shack order even faster
NewslettersCIO Intelligence
How AI will make your Shake Shack order even faster
By John KellApril 1, 2026
7 hours ago
Chief human resource officer salaries have surged 30% at S&P 500 companies. Here’s why boards are opening the checkbook
C-SuiteHuman resources
Chief human resource officer salaries have surged 30% at S&P 500 companies. Here’s why boards are opening the checkbook
By Courtney Vinopal and HR BrewApril 1, 2026
8 hours ago
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang
SuccessJobs
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s advice to workers scared of AI: You’re just confusing your job with the tools you use to do it
By Emma BurleighApril 1, 2026
9 hours ago

Most Popular

Jerome Powell says the $39 trillion national debt is ‘not unsustainable,’ but warns the trajectory ‘will not end well’
Economy
Jerome Powell says the $39 trillion national debt is ‘not unsustainable,’ but warns the trajectory ‘will not end well’
By Fortune EditorsMarch 30, 2026
2 days ago
Two-thirds of parents say their adult Gen Z kids still rely on them financially  for support—even though it's putting them under strain
Success
Two-thirds of parents say their adult Gen Z kids still rely on them financially  for support—even though it's putting them under strain
By Fortune EditorsMarch 31, 2026
1 day ago
A man used AI to call 3,000 Irish bartenders to track the cost of Guinness. Now pubs are lowering their prices to compete
AI
A man used AI to call 3,000 Irish bartenders to track the cost of Guinness. Now pubs are lowering their prices to compete
By Fortune EditorsMarch 30, 2026
2 days ago
Kevin O'Leary says if you earn $68,000 a year and follow this rule, you'll retire a millionaire
Personal Finance
Kevin O'Leary says if you earn $68,000 a year and follow this rule, you'll retire a millionaire
By Fortune EditorsMarch 31, 2026
1 day ago
Hiring just hit a level not seen since the economy was ‘closed down literally’ during COVID, top economist says
Economy
Hiring just hit a level not seen since the economy was ‘closed down literally’ during COVID, top economist says
By Fortune EditorsMarch 31, 2026
1 day ago
2 years after Musk challenged Zuckerberg to a cage match, they were texting about DOGE and a joint OpenAI bid, court records reveal
Law
2 years after Musk challenged Zuckerberg to a cage match, they were texting about DOGE and a joint OpenAI bid, court records reveal
By Fortune EditorsMarch 31, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.