More than 90% of travelers from Southeast Asia say that gun prevalence in the United States influences whether they will visit, according to a new survey.
The study — which surveyed 6,000 international travelers from the six countries — showed that respondents perceived Hawaii to be the safest state in terms of gun violence, while Texas was deemed the least safe, from a list of eight options that included New York, California, Florida, Nevada, Arizona and Washington D.C.
Yet, 56% of those in the survey, commissioned by CNBC Travel and conducted by the market research firm Milieu Insight, said they are likely to visit the United States in the next few years.
This figure rose to 59% among those who had visited the U.S. at least once before, even though among this group, 74% said they perceive gun violence to be a bigger issue in the United States today than in the past.
“This suggests that firsthand experience, while heightening awareness of issues, doesn’t necessarily deter future visits,” said Antarika Sen, an associate research director at Milieu Insight.
However, nearly 80% said the likelihood that they would attend a mass gathering — such as a concert or music festival — would be greatly or moderately affected by the number of guns in the United States.
The survey was conducted in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines and Thailand from Sept. 9-18, after the first assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump in July and coinciding with the second assassination attempt on his life on Sept. 15.
Country differences
Southeast Asians who showed the highest levels of concern about gun violence in the United States also showed the highest levels of interest to visit the country.
Those from Vietnam (79%), Indonesia (76%) and the Philippines (76%) said their trips were greatly or moderately influenced by the prevalence of guns in the U.S. However, 73% from Vietnam, 70% from Indonesia, and 69% of those from the Philippines said they are likely to visit in the next few years.
However, only 24% of those from Singapore said they are likely to set foot in the U.S. soon.
Overall, two-thirds of all respondents said they disagree with gun ownership in the United States. However, this figure rose to 91% in Singapore.
Singaporeans — whose are accustomed to low crime in the city-state — were also the least likely to say that gun violence in the U.S. is less of a problem than in the past (3%).
Half of those surveyed said they have been to the United States. But a prior visit didn’t calm Singaporeans’ worries about gun violence to the same extent as other nationalities. Some 25% of all respondents said a prior visit helped ease their concerns, but only 4% in Singapore said they are “much more likely to visit again as my concerns about gun violence have decreased.”
Outcome of the U.S. election
More than a quarter of respondents said the outcome of the U.S. presidential election will affect their intentions to visit the country, while…
Read More: Is it safe to visit the US? How guns and Trump affect travel interest