Thanksgiving Event Sets The Stage For A Massive Year Of American Travel

Visit USA Australia, together with Brand USA, brought a touch of American warmth to Sydney with its annual Thanksgiving breakfast, an event that has become a cherished fixture on the industry calendar.
More than a celebration of gratitude, this year’s gathering shone a spotlight on what is shaping up to be one of the biggest years ever for travel to the United States.

Caroline Davidson, President of Visit USA Australia, opened the morning by thanking members, media and trade partners for their tireless support in strengthening outbound travel to the US. She spoke about Thanksgiving as a tradition anchored in connection and appreciation, noting that the spirit of the holiday mirrors the collaboration that drives the travel industry.

The breakfast also marked a moment to reflect on a productive year. Visit USA celebrated the launch of its redesigned website, now home to extensive training resources, evergreen content and member profiles. The refreshed Visit USA Expo series travelled through Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, connecting fifty eight exhibitors with more than seven hundred Australian travel agents. In addition, the organisation hosted the IPW 2025 Welcome Event for one hundred and eighty delegates from Australia and New Zealand.

Davidson said the occasion was not only a chance to acknowledge achievements but to look towards a historic year ahead for American tourism.

Claire Mountaine, Canuckiwi and Jade Glashoff, Brand USA

Nic Hawksley, Infinity Holidays, Joshua Hewett, Helloworld and Teena Hollwey, RateHawk

A blockbuster 2026 for the United States

Travellers will have no shortage of reasons to cross the Pacific in 2026. The year marks the centennial of Route 66, the iconic highway that has captured the imagination of road trippers for generations. It will also be the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the United States, a milestone expected to inspire celebrations across the country.

Sport will take centre stage as well. North America will host the FIFA World Cup, with early signs indicating extraordinary interest from Australia. Industry insiders say as many as three hundred thousand Australians have already preregistered for tickets.

Closer to home for fans of the footy codes, the NRL will return to Las Vegas for another high profile season opener. Adding to the excitement, the NFL has confirmed a multiyear commitment to play regular season games in Melbourne from 2026. The first match will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with the Los Angeles Rams named as the designated team. It will be the first time an NFL regular season game is played in Australia and signals the league’s broader push to grow the sport in new international markets.

With milestone anniversaries, global events and major sporting showcases on the horizon, Visit USA expects Australian enthusiasm for travel to the United States to surge throughout 2026.

“Our Thanksgiving breakfast is not only a moment to reflect on the year gone by but an opportunity to look ahead at what we can accomplish together. With the continued support of our members and partners, Visit USA will continue to drive growth, innovation and inspiration across the Australian travel industry,” Davidson said.

More information about Visit USA Australia can be found at www.visitusa.org.au.