Global Market Insite (GMI), a market
research firm, released results of a global poll showing that
concern over U.S. foreign policy and fear of terrorism have caused
many overseas consumers to shun U.S. travel products.
A sample of 8,000
consumers indicated that 56% of Japanese, 36% of Germans and 32% of
French are less likely to visit the U.S. for business or tourism
because of its global war on terrorism and unilateral foreign
policies, according to GMI, a firm that counts Microsoft,
Amazon.com and Proctor & Gamble among its clients.
Fifty-five percent
of international consumers indicated increasingly negative
perceptions of the U.S., and 67% said U.S. foreign policies are
guided by self-interest and empire building.
According to the
survey, 57% of Japanese, 44% of Chinese, 42% of French and 38% of
U.K. residents said they would avoid flying a U.S.-owned and
-operated airline on an international trip. Of those, 92% of
Japanese, 88% of Chinese and 87% from the U.K. cited their fear of
terrorism targeting the U.S. as the reason for avoiding U.S.
carriers.
In addition, 36% of
French and 24% of Germans said they avoid flying U.S.-owned
airlines because they are boycotting U.S. products and
services.
Eighteen percent of
those polled said they will avoid many U.S. products due to U.S.
foreign policies. Of that 18%, which numbered 1,260 respondents,
40% said they would avoid flying American Airlines, 38% would avoid
United Airlines, and 34% said they would avoid Northwest
Airlines.
Also, 31% said
their governments should avoid purchasing aircraft manufactured by
Boeing, a U.S. firm.