Australian tourism to the US has plummeted by roughly one-third compared to pre-pandemic levels, with data showing a sharp decline from over 1 million annual visitors to just over 700,000.
New data reveals a significant shift in Australian travel habits, with the United States experiencing a dramatic drop in visitors. The decline is attributed to stricter border policies, high-profile deportation incidents, and an unfavorable exchange rate.
Key Statistics
- Australian residents returning from the US fell from 1,090,820 in the year to March 2019 to 702,240 in the year to March 2026.
- Destinations like Japan saw a doubling of Australian visitors, rising from 473,370 to 990,670.
- Other popular alternatives gaining Australian travelers include New Zealand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and China.
The drop is attributed to stricter border controls under the Trump administration, high-profile cases of travelers being denied entry or deported, and a weak exchange rate.
Contributing Factors
The Trump administration proposed requiring Australian travelers to provide social media details for "enhanced vetting." Additionally, a proposal to bar international flights into "sanctuary cities" that do not fully cooperate with immigration enforcement could affect major gateways like Los Angeles and San Francisco.
High-profile incidents have also fueled concern:
- Alistair Kitchen, an Australian writer, was detained and deported in 2024 after social media posts about campus protests.
- Musician Adam Hyde (Keli Holiday) was detained and deported in May 2026.
Travel Advisory
The Australian government site Smartraveller states the US is safe to travel to but notes entry requirements are strict, with US authorities having broad powers to decide admissibility.
Related Policy
US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that plans are being drawn up to stop processing international flights at airports in sanctuary cities that refuse to enforce federal immigration laws.