J. T. Simpson1, M. Ghio1, A. Ali1, J. Fleckman1, J. Constans1, K. Theall1, P. McGrew1, J. Duchesne1, D. Tatum1, S. Taghavi1 1Tulane University School Of Medicine, Department Of Surgery, New Orleans, LA, USA
Introduction: Gun violence has reached epidemic proportions in the United States (US). However, how tourism influx relates to gun violence (GV) in major US cities has not been characterized. We sought to examine how tourist influx effects gun violence in a major US city where tourism comprises the largest economic sector. We hypothesized that gun violence rates would increase in peak tourist months.
Methods: This cross-sectional analysis measured tourist influx using AirDNA, a market research tool with several measures of short-term rental (STR) markets and hotel occupancy rates. Measures of tourism influx were examined along with violent, penetrating trauma using registry data between 2013-2021. Tourists were defined as any persons that with a home residence outside of the metropolitan area of the Level 1 trauma center. Correlation coefficients were measured Pearson’s R.
Results: Tourists made up a substantial proportion penetrating trauma victims during the study period (n=557, 19%). GV was not associated with number of tourists visiting the city. However, GV involving both tourists and inhabitants was associated with STR average daily rate (ADR) (Figure). Rates of tourists shot was not higher in peak tourist months (6.9 vs 7.0 GSWs/month, p=0.42), however, assault of tourists by knife stab wounds (KSWs) increased during peak months (1.1 vs 0.7 KSW/month, p=0.04). STR occupancy rates also correlated with violent KSWs among tourists (r=0.19, p<0.05). When compared to inhabitants, victimized tourists were more likely to be Caucasian and have commercial insurance.
Conclusion: Number of tourists visiting a major destination city does not appear to be as important as economic measures of tourism, suggesting that socioeconomic factors are important determinants of gun violence. Furthermore, a substantial number of firearm injuries occur in tourists, suggesting preventive measures may decrease gun and other types of violence in major tourist cities.
