The golden era of pre-pandemic travel to the USA is obviously over - Japan has clearly taken its place as the go-to destination for Aussies, with a seemingly endless stream of friends, family, and coworkers making the trip these days similar to how the US was between 2013-2018.
The truth is that the USA has become prohibitively expensive for Australian travelers. When you factor in exchange rates, budget accommodation alone can easily exceed $300 per night, with meals and activities similarly costly. I went to Hawaii in 2022 and the east coast last year and how expensive things were certainly took the shine off after several visits pre-pandemic.
Unless you're a DINK (double income, no kids), high income earner, or travelling for work, the numbers simply don't add up anymore. While the country's divisions certainly aren't helping the allure, cost is almost certainly the primary deterrent for most people.
The truth is that the USA has become prohibitively expensive for Australian travelers. When you factor in exchange rates, budget accommodation alone can easily exceed $300 per night, with meals and activities similarly costly. I went to Hawaii in 2022 and the east coast last year and how expensive things were certainly took the shine off after several visits pre-pandemic.
Unless you're a DINK (double income, no kids), high income earner, or travelling for work, the numbers simply don't add up anymore. While the country's divisions certainly aren't helping the allure, cost is almost certainly the primary deterrent for most people.
