Greater than 90% of vacationers from Southeast Asia say that gun prevalence in america influences whether or not they are going to go to, in accordance with a brand new survey.
The examine — which surveyed 6,000 worldwide vacationers from the six international locations — confirmed that respondents perceived Hawaii to be the most secure state by way of gun violence, whereas Texas was deemed the least secure, from an inventory of eight choices that included New York, California, Florida, Nevada, Arizona and Washington D.C.
But, 56% of these within the survey, commissioned by CNBC Journey and performed by the market analysis agency Milieu Perception, stated they’re more likely to go to america within the subsequent few years.
This determine rose to 59% amongst those that had visited the U.S. a minimum of as soon as earlier than, regardless that amongst this group, 74% stated they understand gun violence to be an even bigger situation in america right this moment than prior to now.
“This implies that firsthand expertise, whereas heightening consciousness of points, would not essentially deter future visits,” stated Antarika Sen, an affiliate analysis director at Milieu Perception.
Nevertheless, almost 80% stated the probability that they might attend a mass gathering — reminiscent of a live performance or music pageant — can be vastly or reasonably affected by the variety of weapons in america.
The survey was performed in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines and Thailand from Sept. 9-18, after the primary assassination try in opposition to former President Donald Trump in July and coinciding with the second assassination try on his life on Sept. 15.
Nation variations
Southeast Asians who confirmed the very best ranges of concern about gun violence in america additionally confirmed the very best ranges of curiosity to go to the nation.
These from Vietnam (79%), Indonesia (76%) and the Philippines (76%) stated their journeys have been vastly or reasonably influenced by the prevalence of weapons within the U.S. Nevertheless, 73% from Vietnam, 70% from Indonesia, and 69% of these from the Philippines stated they’re more likely to go to within the subsequent few years.
Nevertheless, solely 24% of these from Singapore stated they’re more likely to set foot within the U.S. quickly.
Total, two-thirds of all respondents stated they disagree with gun possession in america. Nevertheless, this determine rose to 91% in Singapore.
Singaporeans — whose are accustomed to low crime within the city-state — have been additionally the least more likely to say that gun violence within the U.S. is much less of an issue than prior to now (3%).
Half of these surveyed stated they’ve been to america. However a previous go to did not calm Singaporeans’ worries about gun violence to the identical extent as different nationalities. Some 25% of all respondents stated a previous go to helped ease their issues, however solely 4% in Singapore stated they’re “more likely to go to once more as my issues about gun violence have decreased.”
Consequence of the U.S. election
Greater than 1 / 4 of respondents stated the result of the U.S. presidential election will have an effect on their intentions to go to the nation, whereas 49% stated that it’d.
Some 23% stated they have been much less more likely to go to if Donald Trump wins; 9% stated the identical if Kamala Harris is elected.
One other 5% stated they are going to out-and-out refuse to go to if Trump wins, with 2% saying the identical a couple of Harris win.
Visitors attend a marketing campaign rally for former U.S. President Donald Trump on Sept. 17 in Flint, Michigan, two days after a second assassination try was made on him.
Scott Olson | Getty Photos Information | Getty Photos
Greater than two-thirds of respondents stated that they had heard about “migrant crime” — a time period coined by Trump and hailed as a part of his anti-immigration stance. Nevertheless, information from major-city police departments present no proof of a wave of crimes dedicated by migrants within the nation.
Nevertheless, some 27% of Southeast Asians stated it is a “main situation that considerably influences my resolution” to go to the U.S.”
Concern of violence and verbal abuse
Southeast Asians additionally expressed important issues about being victims of bodily violence within the U.S. primarily based on their race.
Practically 3 in 4 vacationers stated they’re “very” or “considerably” involved about experiencing race-based violence, with the very best ranges of concern coming amongst Filipino respondents (81%). Solely 4% of Southeast Asians within the survey they weren’t involved about bodily violence within the nation in any respect.
Respondents confirmed comparable ranges of concern about being on the receiving finish of race-related verbal abuse.
Many Southeast Asians stated the specter of bodily and verbal abuse has risen for the reason that Covid-19 pandemic, with two-thirds agreeing it is a “a lot larger situation” or “considerably extra of a problem than earlier than.”
Solely 11% general stated they really feel these issues have decreased for the reason that pandemic.
Southeast Asians stated social media (61%) was their prime supply of details about security and crime in america, adopted by worldwide information (55%),
“International locations with greater reliance on these sources typically present larger issues,” stated Milieu Perception’s Sen. “The Philippines, with 66% counting on social media, reveals the very best concern for racial violence.”
