Australians Keep Travelling to US Despite Tighter Borders

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Australians continue to visit the United States in growing numbers, despite recent political tensions and stricter border policies introduced during Donald Trump’s presidency.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), nearly 70,000 Australians travelled to the United States in May, an increase of almost 8 per cent compared to the same period last year. Annual figures also showed a 4.8 per cent year-on-year rise in travel from Australia to the US.

In contrast, figures from the US Department of Commerce show international travel to the United States has declined overall, with a 3.4 per cent drop in overseas visitors in the past year.

Tourism researchers say Australians appear undeterred by the political climate or tighter entry requirements.

“Even when politics gets prickly, Australians remain curious and open-minded travellers,” said Professor Sara Dolnicar from the University of Queensland. She added that this consistent interest in the US reflects Australians’ long-standing fascination with American culture, entertainment, and major cities.

The continued rise in Australian tourism to the US comes despite reports of more rigorous immigration checks, increased deportations, and changes to visa policies introduced in recent years.

While some travellers worldwide may be choosing alternative destinations due to concerns about entry restrictions or political uncertainty, Australians are seemingly pushing ahead with travel plans. Key destinations for Australians in the US continue to include Los Angeles, New York, and Hawaii.

The data also highlights a broader trend of resilience in outbound travel among Australians, with overall overseas trips increasing across several destinations.

Tourism analysts suggest that the Australia-US travel link remains strong due to close diplomatic ties, cultural connections, and a high volume of family, business, and educational exchanges between the two nations.