More than 90% of travelers from Southeast Asia say the prevalence of guns in the United States influences whether to visit, according to a new survey.
The study surveyed 6,000 international travelers from six countries and found that respondents ranked Hawaii as the safest state in terms of gun violence from a list of eight options, including New York, California, and New York. On the other hand, Texas was perceived as the least safe. Florida, Nevada, Arizona, Washington DC
However, the survey, commissioned by CNBC Travel and conducted by market research firm Milieu Insights, found that 56% of participants said they were likely to visit the United States within the next few years.
Among those who have visited the U.S. at least once in the past, this number rose to 59%, but 74% of this group perceive gun violence to be a bigger problem in the U.S. today than in the past. The answer was yes.
“This suggests that while first-hand experience increases awareness of the issue, it does not necessarily deter future visits,” said Antarika Sen, associate research director at Milieu Insights. ” he said.
However, nearly 80% said their likelihood of attending large gatherings, such as concerts and music festivals, was either greatly or moderately affected by the number of guns in the United States.
The investigation began on September 9, coinciding with the first assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in July and the second assassination attempt on his life on September 15. It was conducted in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand until the 18th.
country differences
Southeast Asians who expressed the highest concern about gun violence in the United States also expressed the highest interest in visiting the country.
Travelers from Vietnam (79%), Indonesia (76%), and the Philippines (76%) said their travels were greatly or moderately affected by the prevalence of guns in the United States. % of people from the Philippines say they are likely to visit the country in the next few years.
However, only 24% of Singaporeans say they are likely to set foot in the United States soon.
Overall, two-thirds of all respondents said they disagree with gun ownership in the United States. However, in Singapore this number rose to 91%.
Singaporeans, accustomed to low crime in their city-state, were also the least likely to say gun violence in the United States is less of a problem than in the past (3%).
Half of those surveyed said they had been to the United States. However, previous visits did not allay Singaporeans’ fears about gun violence to the same extent as other nationalities. Approximately 25% of all respondents said their previous visit made them feel less anxious, but only a minority of Singaporeans said they were “substantially more likely to visit again because I felt less concerned about gun violence.” It was 4%.
US election results
More than a quarter of respondents said the outcome of the U.S. presidential election would influence their intention to visit the United States, and 49% said it might.
About 23% said they would be less likely to visit if Donald Trump won. Nine percent would say the same if Kamala Harris were elected.
Another 5% said they would flatly refuse to visit if Trump were to win, and 2% would do the same if Harris were to win.
Guests attend former President Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Flint, Michigan on September 17, two days after the second assassination attempt on him.
Scott Olson | Getty Images News | Getty Images
More than two-thirds of respondents said they had heard of “immigrant crime.” The term was coined by President Trump and praised as part of his anti-immigrant stance. But data from metropolitan police departments shows no evidence of a spate of crimes committed by immigrants in the country.
However, about 27% of Southeast Asians said that visiting the United States was a “big issue that would greatly influence my decision.”
fear of violence and abuse
Southeast Asians also expressed serious concerns about being victims of physical violence in the United States based on race.
Nearly three in four travelers say they are “very” or “somewhat” concerned about experiencing race-based violence, with Filipino respondents having the highest levels of concern. (81%). The survey found that only 4% of Southeast Asians were not concerned about physical violence at home.
Respondents expressed similar levels of concern about being subjected to race-related abuse.
Many Southeast Asians say the threat of physical and verbal abuse has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, with two-thirds saying it is a “much bigger problem” or “somewhat more than before.” I agree that it is a big problem.
Overall, just 11% said they felt these problems had decreased since the pandemic.
Southeast Asians said their top source of information about security and crime in the United States is social media (61%), followed by international news (55%).
“Countries that rely more on these sources often express greater concern,” said Senator Milieu Insight. “Countries that rely more on these sources often express greater concern. We have expressed the highest level of concern about this,” he said.
