THE AMERICAN invasion of Australia predicted on the back of our weaker dollar has well and truly begun.
In June, 47,500 American visitors flocked down under — up nearly 20 per cent on the same time last year.
Year on year, figures were up nine per cent to 576,600 visitors as awareness of the greenback’s buying power in Australia grew.
Howdy! ... American tourist Karissa Putvin enjoying her time in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Luke Marsden/News Corp Australia Source: News Corp Australia
CommSec senior economist Craig James said further growth was likely, with the Australian dollar tipped to fall to 72 US cents by the end of the year, and drop to 70 by mid-2016.
“Consumers always weigh up what’s the best value they can achieve, and no doubt the American travellers look for places where their dollar goes further,” said Mr James.
“Clearly, there is a fair bit of competition among international destinations, but the encouraging thing is some of the American tourists have found their way to Australia.”
A range of campaigns have targeted the US market in recent years, includingRestaurant Australia, which attracted American celebrity chefs Alice Waters and Eric Ripert down under.
Talk show hosts Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres have also staged high profile trips to Australia since late 2010, and this December, Oprah will return for a speaking tour.
Hot property ... Ellen DeGeneres sings and dances with the crowd during Ellen's Melbourne show on March 26, 2013. Picture: News Corp Australia Source: News Limited
Tourism Australia’s recent film highlighting indigenous tourism experiences featured an American couple, and Qantas and Virgin Australia have formed partnerships with American Airlines and Delta, respectively.
Data provided by Tourism Research Australia revealed the lion’s share of American visitors go to Sydney (310,919 in the year to March 2015), but other parts of the country were experiencing big increases.
Since March 2011, US visitors to Tasmania have soared 43.8 per cent from 16,756 to 24,097.
Tourism and Transport Forum CEO Margy Osmond said New Yorkers in particular were taken with the Apple Isle’s “wilderness”.
“Americans are drawn to Australian’s unique natural environment, wonderful hospitality and our vibrant cities and regions,” said Ms Osmond.
Made in Australia ... US celebrity chef and TV host Eric Ripert filmed a series of shows about local food and wine down under. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied
Melbourne also experienced strong growth, with visitors growing 38.8 per cent, and tropical north Queensland attracted more US tourists than Brisbane (89,256 compared with 72,821).
Heading in the other direction, 976,900 Australians travelled to the US in the year to June 30, up four per cent on the previous year.
Mr James said it wasn’t surprising the weaker dollar had not proved much of a deterrent to overseas travel.
“Aussies have seen wealth gains in the past 12 months,” he said.
“There’s still a modest degree of wage growth, and the job market hasn’t deteriorated that much over the last 12 months, and that’s provided a degree of confidence.”
An analysis undertaken by Expedia.com.au found New Zealand currently represented the best value for Aussie holiday-makers, and was the only country where our dollar bought more than it did a year ago
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