Southeast Asians are showing a declining interest in traveling to the US this year, with Singaporeans being the most hesitant, according to the "US Travel Demand from Asian Travelers" survey conducted by market research firm Milieu Insight from late May to mid-June.

Around 7% of Singaporeans expressed "more interest" in visiting the US this year, while 55% of respondents reported a decreased interest. This marks the steepest decline in the region, compared to the Southeast Asian average of 44% still interested in US travel and 18% with decreased interest.

A group of people on their way to work in Singapore. Photo: Depositphotos/ Shadow of light

A group of people on their way to work in Singapore. Photo: Depositphotos/ Shadow of light

One reason for the declining interest among Singaporeans is concern for personal safety. Zilmiyah Kamble, senior lecturer in tourism and hospitality management at James Cook University, Singapore, noted that the low crime rate in Singapore fosters high expectations for safety. Singapore is consistently ranked among the safest countries globally.

Kimberly is also avoiding the US this year due to concerns about gun control and discrimination against Asians. Local resident Cayla Tham said US politics or new tax policies are not her primary concern. "I’m worried about the legalized use of guns but the government doesn't have effective management measures," Cayla said.

Other factors contributing to Singaporeans' apprehension include potential discrimination or mistreatment, current government policies, gun violence, and the risk of detainment at customs.

The survey also revealed that Singaporeans are less concerned than other Southeast Asian nations about the cost of traveling to the US or visa requirements. In the Henley Passport Index Q3 ranking, Singapore's passport holds the top spot, offering visa-free access to 193 countries and territories. Despite this, Singaporeans are the least confident about clearing US immigration. Only 60% believe the entry process will be smooth, compared to the regional average of 78%.

Citizen Rahul Jain has no plans to visit the US this year. He recounted experiencing "a lot of checks, a lot of suspicion" from US immigration officials.

But for him, the issue is not just the difficulty of entry. "Violence, crime, poverty—I’m sure it's not as bad as the media portrays it to be, but why risk it?" he said.

The survey also highlighted a significant difference in Singaporeans' perception of the US compared to Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Singaporeans were the only group among the 6 Southeast Asian countries who reported primarily getting their information from local and international news outlets. In contrast, 80% of respondents from the other 5 countries cited social media as their main source of information.

Conversely, interest in the US is growing in Vietnam and the Philippines. 57% of Vietnamese and 49% of Filipinos reported increased interest in traveling to the US compared to 6 months prior. Experts suggest this may be due to the large diaspora communities from these countries in the US.

"Family connections, as well as the allure of American popular culture, are still driving factors for many who wish to visit the country," Kamble observed.

Anh Minh (CNBC)