Australian travellers are increasingly looking beyond the United States when planning international trips, with Europe and Asia emerging as clear winners as booking patterns shift into 2026.
Travel advisors say higher costs, complex entry requirements and broader uncertainty around US travel are prompting clients to consider alternative destinations, even as overall outbound travel from Australia continues to grow.
Europe is proving particularly popular across both traditional and emerging destinations.
Speaking recently about outbound travel trends, Helloworld Travel chief executive Andrew Burnes said Europe remains high on Australians’ wish lists, with strong demand for Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and Scandinavia, alongside growing interest in destinations such as Iceland. Cruise and premium European travel is also booking well in advance.
Asia continues to gain momentum, driven by value, culture and shorter flight times. Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia remain standout performers, particularly for travellers seeking immersive, experience led itineraries rather than fast paced sightseeing.
Industry data supports what agents are seeing on the ground. According to the ATIA, travel to the United States has softened even as total outbound travel from Australia has increased, with Asia Pacific destinations capturing a larger share of bookings.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures further reflect the shift, showing the United States slipping in ranking among Australia’s most visited overseas destinations, while countries such as Japan and Indonesia have climbed.
Advisors say the trend is reshaping conversations with clients, reinforcing the value of destination knowledge and tailored itinerary design as travellers look for reassurance and alternatives in a more complex global travel environment.
