DONALD Trump’s election to the White House could result in even more Aussie tourists flocking to the States.
Australian Federation of Travel Agents CEO Jayson Westbury said he expected it would be “business as usual” for Aussie travellers with the US to retain its appeal as an exciting and affordable holiday destination.
“If anything Trump has always been very supportive of the tourism industry, he’s been very public about that,” said Mr Westbury who is currently in San Francisco.
“We may see some ramping up of their international marketing efforts. He sees international tourism as the right sort of thing to be doing.”
Tourism is expected to be business as usual in the States.Source:Supplied
Mr Westbury said as his overnight flight came into land late yesterday, the pilot announced the election result.
“There was applause,” he said.
“I was surprised.”
Only a dramatic fall in the currency exchange rate would deter Aussie travellers, Mr Westbury said and that seemed unlikely to happen.
“I would suggest it will be business as usual,” he said.
“There’s massive competition in airfares, and as far as I’m concerned there’s never been a better time to go to the States.”
Tom Walley, general manager of leisure travel at Flight Centre, echoed these findings saying that strong demand for the states has been fuelled in part by some of the cheapest airfares ever seen.
“The US has been incredibly popular and we expect that popularity to continue, given the country’s huge appeal to Aussie holiday-makers,” says Walley.
“Our US ticket numbers increased almost 40 per cent last month and have grown almost 15 per cent so far this financial year.”
However to combat any exchange rate fluctuations, Walley suggests travellers should pay upfront for as many holiday necessities as possible.
And for those travellers spooked by the Trump win, Flight Centre is offering a package they’ve dubbed the “Travel Trump Card”. A policy costing $149 that will allow travellers to cancel US flights on certain airlines for any reason without incurring the fees that normally apply.
Flight Centre launched a similar platinum policy for European bookings in the aftermath of the June 23 Brexit referendum.
“For a short time, and to give travellers who are concerned about possible political uncertainty additional peace of mind, we have extended our Platinum Captain’s Airfare Packages to the USA”, says Walley.
General Manager of Travel Money Oz, Dion Jensen said a sudden drop in the Aussie dollar yesterday as markets reacted to the unexpected result had taken some travellers by surprise.
“We are expecting continued volatility in the markets and further changes in the exchange rates today,” Mr Jensen said.
Aussie tourists told to keep an eye on exchange rates.Source:Supplied
Travel Money Oz also reported a major surge in demand for Japanese Yen — often a “safe haven” for currency in times of volatility.
“A change in exchange rates can have a real impact on overseas spending money which is often a last minute purchase consideration by travellers,” said Mr Jensen.
“We advise Australians travelling soon to monitor market changes, review their currency needs and individual situations and decide whether they should lock in their exchange rate now.”
Mr Jensen said supplies of US dollars in their stores were good but customers should keep in mind likely high levels of demand.
“We’re also reminding customers that they can use a Key to the World Currency Card and lock in your rate online and load it with US dollars to use later,” Mr Jensen said.