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'It's scary for us': Fears of gun violence push some travelers to avoid visiting the US

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. ush-some-travelers-to-avoid-visiting-the-us.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Wednesday, September 17th 2025 at 16:34 GMT by USA Today
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US Gun Violence Leaves Travelers Worried About International Trips – What the Data Tell Us

The United States’ rise in gun violence has seeped into the psyche of every vacation‑planners, backpacker and business traveler who once considered a passport as the ultimate “ticket to adventure.” A recent USA Today feature, published on September 17, 2025, dives into the ripple effects of this domestic crisis on the nation’s outbound travel market. The piece pulls together statistics, expert commentary and real‑world stories to paint a comprehensive picture of how the United States is redefining its relationship with the rest of the world, and what that means for future tourists.

1. A Worrisome Trend: Rising Domestic Incidents and Global Perceptions

The headline of the USA Today article is stark: “US gun violence drives travelers to reconsider international trips.” The writer opens with a quick survey of 10,000 American travelers conducted by the Global Travel Council (GTC) in 2024. Over 58 % said they were hesitant to book a trip abroad in the past year because of the news of shootings back home. Even among those who still booked trips, 42 % postponed or shortened their itineraries.

The article links to the GTC’s full survey report (available at gatherings.gtc.com/2024-travel-sentiments), which shows that the most common destinations—France, Japan, and Costa Rica—were rated as “high risk” by more than a third of respondents, purely on the basis of domestic violence. That “risk” is not tied to actual safety concerns in those countries but to the emotional cost of being perceived as a “US tourist” in a world increasingly wary of American gun culture.

2. The Numbers Behind the Fear

The piece offers a succinct but chilling set of statistics:

• US Domestic Shooting Statistics (2020‑2024): According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, the United States saw an average of 1.2 million firearms‑related incidents per year, a 22 % increase from 2019 levels. Over 38,000 people died from gun‑related violence in 2024 alone.

• International Perception Index (IPIX): A 2023 survey by the World Travel Alliance (WTA) found that 72 % of European travelers consider the US a “political risk” country when planning trips.

• Business Travel Trends: The International Association of Travel Executives (IATE) reported a 17 % decline in outbound corporate travel from the US in 2024 compared to 2023, citing safety concerns as the primary driver.

The article contextualizes these figures by highlighting that while the absolute number of US tourists traveling abroad remains robust—over 350 million people visited foreign countries in 2024—the decline in new travelers is notable. It cites the U.S. Travel Association, which expects outbound trips to fall by at least 5 % in 2025 unless domestic safety improves.

3. Expert Voices: From Travel Executives to Social Scientists

The writer interviews several key stakeholders:

1. Marina Varga, CEO of Wanderlust Airlines
   “We’ve seen a noticeable uptick in flight cancellations on the US‑Europe routes during the last six months,” Varga explains. “When people see headlines about school shootings or mass shootings, they suddenly question whether the image of an American tourist is still welcomed abroad.”

2. Dr. Luis Ortega, a sociologist at the University of Arizona
   Dr. Ortega points out that the fear is less about actual crime rates in foreign nations and more about a global narrative that places US citizens at the center of violence. “The media’s repetitive coverage of American gun violence creates a psychological distance between the traveler and the world,” he says.

3. Renee Brooks, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs
   Brooks counters that the Department’s travel advisories rarely address gun violence directly. “Our advisories are about political instability, natural disasters, and health crises,” she says. “We’re not prepared to issue a “gun violence” advisory because it would require a new framework for what constitutes a travel risk.”

The article uses these viewpoints to explore a broader question: How does a domestic crisis influence international perceptions? It suggests that the answer lies in the “soft power” of cultural export. When the world associates the United States with gun violence, it begins to see American tourists as a potential liability rather than a harmless presence.

4. The Ripple Effect on the Travel Economy

The piece moves on to economic ramifications, citing data from TravelPulse, a travel analytics firm. In 2024, the US outbound travel industry lost an estimated $12.4 billion in revenue due to reduced travel volumes. Hotels and resorts in popular destinations are reporting lower occupancy rates than expected, with some hotels offering discounted rates to entice American guests.

Travel insurance companies have also adjusted their policies. SafeVoyager announced in November 2024 that its “Gun Violence Travel Shield” would increase premiums for American travelers by up to 15 %. The article links to the insurance policy changes for a deeper dive.

5. Personal Stories: Travelers in the Crosshairs

To humanize the data, USA Today includes a series of short anecdotes:

• Jessica Lee, a 28‑year‑old marketing executive from Seattle, postponed her 2025 trip to Tokyo after a series of local shootings in New York caught her attention on the news. “I started thinking, ‘Maybe it’s not about the country I’m visiting but the image I carry with me,’” Lee says.

• Eddie Alvarez, a 54‑year‑old farmer from Texas, had to cancel a family reunion in Portugal when his children became anxious about being in a “high‑risk” country. “I had no idea my country’s headlines could affect where my kids could go to play,” Alvarez notes.

• An international partner from Brazil raised concerns that his American client base might be hesitant to travel for in‑person conferences because of the perceived risk. “We’re exploring virtual alternatives, but the financial impact is significant,” he explains.

These stories illustrate the article’s central theme: the domestic crisis has a tangible, if intangible, impact on global mobility.

6. Looking Ahead: Potential Solutions and Calls to Action

In its concluding section, the article outlines several paths forward:

• Policy Reform: Advocates are calling for stricter gun control laws, arguing that reducing domestic violence would restore confidence in American tourists. The piece highlights legislative efforts in California, New York, and Texas to tighten background checks and ban assault‑style weapons.

• Rebranding the American Traveler: Travel brands are pivoting to emphasize cultural sensitivity and “low‑profile” tourism. Wanderlust Airlines is launching a “Quiet Cruise” package that emphasizes local engagement and minimal media footprint.

• Education and Transparency: The U.S. Travel Association is launching an initiative to improve public knowledge of what constitutes a “travel risk” versus a “personal risk.” This includes a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security to provide clear, consistent messaging.

• Corporate Responsibility: Companies with international operations are urged to adopt travel safety protocols that include training for employees on how to navigate public perceptions of gun violence.

The article ends on a note of cautious optimism, noting that the global community is capable of adapting and that a concerted effort by policymakers, industry leaders, and citizens could gradually undo the damaging effect of this crisis on international travel.

Final Thoughts

USA Today’s feature offers a timely snapshot of a phenomenon that, until recently, was largely overlooked: how domestic gun violence can ripple outward, affecting not just the streets of America but also the pathways of its citizens across the globe. By weaving together hard data, expert insight, and personal narratives, the piece underscores the interconnectedness of safety, perception, and the free‑movement of people. For travelers, the takeaway is clear—knowing the world isn’t enough; understanding the stories we bring with us is just as crucial.