A recent survey reveals that over 90% of travelers from Southeast Asia consider the prevalence of guns in the United States a significant factor that influences their travel decisions.
The study, which included 6,000 international travelers from six Southeast Asian countries, found that Hawaii is perceived as the safest state regarding gun violence, while Texas is viewed as the least safe among the options presented, which included New York, California, Florida, Nevada, Arizona, and Washington D.C.
Despite concerns about gun violence, 56% of respondents indicated they are likely to visit the United States within the next few years, a figure that increases to 59% among those who have visited the U.S. before, even as 74% of that group acknowledge that gun violence has become a more pressing issue compared to the past.
Interestingly, nearly 80% of travelers said their willingness to attend mass gatherings—such as concerts and festivals—would be considerably affected by the amount of gun prevalence in the U.S.
The survey was conducted in six countries—Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand—between September 9 and September 18, following assassination attempts on a former U.S. president.
Variations by Country
Travelers from Southeast Asia displaying heightened concerns about gun violence also demonstrated a strong interest in visiting the U.S. Vietnam (79%), Indonesia (76%), and the Philippines (76%) reported that their travel plans are influenced by gun issues. Conversely, only 24% of respondents from Singapore expressed intentions to visit the U.S. soon.
While two-thirds of all respondents disapprove of gun ownership in the U.S., this figure rises to an impressive 91% among Singaporeans, who are more accustomed to low crime rates.
Among the surveyed, half had visited the U.S. previously; however, 25% of all respondents noted that past visits did little to alleviate concerns about gun violence, with merely 4% of Singaporeans feeling significantly more inclined to visit again due to a perceived decrease in gun-related anxiety.
Impact of U.S. Elections
Over a quarter of respondents stated that the outcome of the U.S. presidential election would impact their travel intentions, with 49% remaining uncertain. Specifically, 23% indicated they would be less inclined to visit if the former president wins, while 9% expressed similar sentiments regarding a potential Kamala Harris presidency.
Of note, 5% of respondents outright stated they would refuse to visit if the former president is re-elected, compared to 2% regarding a Harris win.
Additionally, more than two-thirds of respondents had heard of “migrant crime,” a term linked to anti-immigration rhetoric, despite police data suggesting no substantial rise in crimes linked to migrants. Yet, 27% of Southeast Asians cited it as a major issue influencing their travel decisions to the U.S.
Concerns About Violence and Racial Abuse
Significant concerns regarding potential racial violence were voiced by Southeast Asian travelers, with nearly 75% expressing that they are “very” or “somewhat” apprehensive about experiencing such violence in the U.S. Filipino respondents exhibited the highest level of concern at 81%. Only 4% reported feeling untroubled by the possibility of physical violence in the country.
Concerns about race-related verbal abuse also echoed throughout the responses. Many indicated that the threat of both physical and verbal abuse has intensified since the COVID-19 pandemic, with two-thirds reporting it has become a “much bigger issue” or “somewhat more of an issue” recently. A mere 11% felt these problems have subsided since the pandemic.
The majority of Southeast Asian respondents identified social media (61%) as their primary source of information regarding safety and crime in the United States, followed by international news (55%). This reliance on social media appears to correlate with elevated concerns, particularly in the Philippines, where 66% rely on these sources, intensifying anxiety around racial violence.
