Aussies flock to US despite weak dollar

Aussies flock to US despite weak dollar
By Kate Webster


A weak Australian dollar has not deterred Aussies from travelling to the United States, according to research by finder.com.au.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics Overseas Arrivals and Departures data shows a record 1.02 million Aussies travelled to the U.S. in the year to March 2016. This was up from 971,200 visitors 12 months earlier.

Cracking the million visitor milestone comes in spite of the Australian Dollar sinking 15 percent versus the Greenback over the past year. The recent decline to US $0.7353 is $0.13 less than the US$0.867 one year earlier.

Michelle Hutchison, Money Expert at finder.com.au/travel-insurance says the U.S. remains very popular even though the Australian Dollar has fallen against the Greenback, with the cheap cost of flights appealing.

“While our Dollar is not as good value in the U.S. as it was a few years ago when the Aussie Dollar was above US$1.00, lower flight costs have cushioned Aussie travellers heading to America. Rock bottom airfares to America are being offered to Aussies for as little as $798 return (Sydney to LA),” Hutchison said.

“The figures prove Australians’ enduring love affair with America as a holiday hotspot – with official visitor numbers growing 5.3 percent in a year. In fact, there have been year-on-year increases since March 2009.”

Despite a weaker Aussie Dollar, most everyday items are still cheaper in America compared to Australia – even after converting currency – keeping the Aussie tourism market strong.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

    Latest comments

    1. it’s now cheaper to ski in USA than it was when AUD$1 = USD$1
      Why ? Massive competition.
      A major Colorado resort is now offering lift tickets all season long(2016-17) from only US$20/adult/day with up to 4 kids under 13 years totally FREE & lift line priority so no lift Q’s whatsoever.
      To get these prices, all you have to do is booking 10 consecutive nights accommodation, through an Australian wholesaler like Kiss Travel International (we use them all the time)
      This accommodation doesn’t have to be expensive. Just booked a family of 4 into a 4 star ski in ski out hotel room in January 2017 for only US$146/night at Copper Mt, which according to surveys of families who have skied Copper & other neighbouring resorts like Vail, Breckenridge etc. is far more family oriented & has better skiing.

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