The number of Australians heading to the US is forecast surpass 1.5 million by 2017, according to government figures.
The US Office of Travel and Tourism Industries has projected almost 1.26m Aussies will take a trip across the Pacific in 2014, a rise of 6% on the 1.18m forecast to travel this year.
Further growth of 7% is predicted in 2015, which would take arrivals close to 1.35m, followed by a 6% rise to 1.43m in 2016 before breaking the 1.5m barrier in 2017.
The official 2012 figures will be released at US trade show Pow Wow in Las Vegas next month but they are expected to show 1.12m Australians headed to America, up 8% on 2011, making Australia the 10th largest source market for the US.
Between 2000 and 2011 Australian arrivals have soared 92%, with only China (337%) and Brazil (105%) showing faster growth.
Not only are more Australians travelling – although the recent fall of the dollar could have some future impact – but Aussies are spending more, figures have shown.
We spent a record US$5.5 billion in 2012, a rise of 11% on the previous 12 months.
“Visitors from Australia have spent record levels on US travel and tourism goods and services in eight out of the last 10 years, helping to propel Australia up in the rankings to our eighth largest market abroad in 2012,” the Office of Travel and Tourism said.
Travel Today will be reporting from Pow Wow between June 8 and 12.
