Travel

Updates on travel industry trends, tourism, and economic impact.

Travel
Aussie travel warnings for the US given triple update
The Department of Foreign Affairs has made its third change in under a month to travel warnings for Australians heading to the United States. This comes as the Trump administration continues to enforce and increase stricter border controls, detaining and deporting foreigners and tourists. While DFAT has not changed the USA's overall rating from green on Smart Traveller, which means "exercise normal safety precautions", it has increased warnings multiple times in recent weeks. Back on 4 April, the Smart Traveller highlighted existing entry requirements for the U.S. and how strict they were already, as border authorities "actively pursue, detain, or deport people who are in the country illegally" and added that "officials may ask to inspect electronic devices, emails, text messages or social media accounts" with refusal to do so leading to a possible denial of entry. Later in the same month, on 16 April, the advice was updated once again. This time a warning was added, highlighting the law forcing foreigners who are in the country for more than 30 days to register with authorities, alongside instructions on how to check if travellers have been registered. And now the latest update on 6 May, reminds travellers that
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Melbourne airport stake up in air amid board stoush
The largest shareholder in the company that owns Melbourne Airport could be forced to sell its stake as a dispute with the company’s Board over use of confidential information looks like heading to the courts. Dexus said it had received a notice from the Australia Pacific Airports Corporation (APAC) Board alleging it had used a confidentiality deed poll and disclosed confidential information while trying to sell part of its 27% stake, known as the Dexus Bloc, in APAC. The real estate investment trust and property group told the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) that this was alleged to be in breach of the requirements of the APAC Shareholders’ Deed. As trustee/manager for interests representing about 27% of APAC, Dexus was appointed in 2024 by some of the shareholders to try to sell their stakes. Dexus said it would be required to offer the shareholding to the remaining shareholders at assessed fair market value if the notice was found to be valid. “Dexus intends to dispute the validity of the Notice, has always acted in good faith, and will vigorously defend its position and its clients’ interests,” it said in the ASX announcement. Wealthy investors who bought into a special fund holding investments in APAC h
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International visitor spending set to plummet in the US
The United States is on track to lose US$12.5 billion in international visitor spending, according to the latest Economic Impact Research by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Out of the 184 economies analysed, the U.S. is the only country set to see a drop in traveller spending and WTTC CEO and president Julia Simpson said this should serve as a wake-up call for the U.S. government. “The world’s biggest Travel & Tourism economy is heading in the wrong direction, not because of a lack of demand, but because of a failure to act,” Simpson said. “Without urgent action to restore international traveller confidence, it could take several years for the U.S. just to return to pre-pandemic levels of international visitor spend, not even the peak from 10 years ago.” U.S. visitor spending has dropped from $181 billion in 2024 to $164 billion this year, representing a 22.5% decline compared to the previous peak. In 2024, nearly 90% of tourism spending will come from domestic travel, with Americans travelling at home in record numbers. Many of the U.S.’s key source markets, like the U.K., Germany, South Korea and Canada, are drying up. Last year, tourism and travel contributed $2.6 trillion to the U.S. economy and
Travel
Boeing strikes its largest deal ever with Qatar Airways
Boeing struck their largest deal yet, with an order from Qatar Airways to buy up to 210 jets. In a Boeing press release, the company said the order includes 130 787 Dreamliners, 30 77-9s and an optional 50 787 and 777X airplanes. The deal was made when United States President Donald Trump visited the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, who witnessed the historic deal. Qatar Airways Group CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said the deal will help the airline seamlessly connect passengers to the rest of the world. "We are happy to announce our agreement with Boeing and our partnership in the largest aircraft order in our history,” he said. “A critical next step for Qatar Airways on our path as we invest in the cleanest, youngest and most efficient fleet in global aviation.” Boeing CEO and president, Stephanie Pope, said the airplane manufacturer looks forward to building Qatar Airways planes over the next decade. "We are deeply honoured that Qatar Airways has placed this record-breaking order with Boeing, one that solidifies their future fleet with our market-leading wide-body airplane family at its centre," she said. In a statement, the White House said this deal was valued at around US$96 billion and sai
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Aussies aren't changing travel plans despite weak dollar
Despite the tumbling Aussie dollar, Compare the Market research reveals that a third of Australian travellers are not deterred. In April, the Australian dollar slumped to its weakest point in five years, trading at US59.15 cents, thanks to United States President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Since then, the dollar has recovered a little while remaining relatively weak, trading at US65 cents. Despite this, the Compare the Market research found that 33.2% of Australian travellers surveyed said the weak dollar hadn't impacted their plans in any way. Older travellers are less likely to change their plans based on the weaker dollar, with 42% of Baby Boomers reporting they were undeterred compared to 23% of Gen Z, 27% of Millennials and 35% of Gen X. Compare the Market researcher Chris Ford said that while some travellers avoid the sting of the weak Aussie dollar by booking in advance, they may be unaware of how it will affect their spending money. “In some cases, people pre-book their holidays months or years in advance, so there’s a good chance that some Australians may have largely avoided the sting of the recent challenges to the Aussie dollar,” he said. “However, they’ll probably notice that their spending money doesn’

Travel
Webjet suitor BGH Capital breaks cover to make $315m bid
The mystery over takeover speculation about Webjet Group (ASX: WJL) has ended with the online travel agency announcing it has received a bid from private equity firm BGH Capital. Webjet said BGH’s unsolicited, non-binding indication of interest in acquiring a controlling interest in the company valued it at 80 cents per share and was subject to assumptions about debt, dividends, distributions and business acquisitions. The offer values the target company at A$315 million. BGH has disclosed a 10.76% stake in its target consisting of 5.89% held by BGH and 4.87% held by Portfolio Services Pty Ltd, an entity associated with investment company Ariadne Australia and its Chair Gary Weiss. BGH indicated it was open to some shareholders retaining an ongoing equity interest in Webjet with the potential for ongoing access to liquidity by retaining the company’s public listing. Webjet said shareholders did not need to take any action. The Board was assessing and making no recommendation about the BGH Proposal and would update shareholders as appropriate. The Board has appointed UBS Securities as financial adviser and MinterEllison as legal adviser. The catalyst for the bid talk was a spike in Webjet's share price which su
Travel
Travel economy driven by affordability, sports: MEI
Travellers are increasingly motivated by affordability, sports, and wellness in 2025, according to a report by the Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI). Tokyo and Osaka are 2025’s top trending summer destinations, the report found, having seen the largest increase in tourism over previous years as Japan’s yen depreciated. Sports events like the Champions League final and the Baseball World Series have also led to major growth in tourism. “According to MEI’s analysis, Tokyo and Osaka will be the top two trending global tourist destinations this summer, with the largest increase in tourism demand relative to previous levels, continuing last year’s trajectory. Its currency depreciation, although it has recently partially reversed, presumably is still a significant factor making it a desirable place to visit,” according to the report. “The other destinations on the list highlight the importance of value — particularly in the Asia Pacific region — and the appeal of beach towns, such as Mallorca, Spain; Nha Trang, Vietnam and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.” Asia Pacific destinations listed include Shanghai, Seoul, and Beijing. Japan’s increase in tourism is partly driven by the yen’s depreciation. Its 1% decline against China’s yua
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Trump to accept US' most valuable gift from Qatar
United States President Donald Trump is about to receive what might be the most valuable gift ever extended to the U.S. from a foreign government. ABC News reported that the Trump administration is preparing to accept a super luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from the royal family when Trump visits Qatar next week. According to sources close to the matter, the jet will be used as the new Air Force One until shortly after Trump leaves office; after that, ownership will be transferred to the Trump presidential library. A brand new Boeing 747-800 costs around US$400 million according to 2019 data. The plan was known as a “flying palace” while parked at the West Palm Beach International Airport in February and marks an unprecedented arrangement, sparking questions about whether it is legal to accept such a gift. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the move's legality in a statement to NBC News. “Any gift given by a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws,” Leavitt said. “President Trump’s Administration is committed to full transparency.” In his first term, Trump struck a deal to modernise two Boeing 747s to be used as the new Air Force One aircraft, but t
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Travel demand weakens as Expedia Group stock drops 8%
Expedia Group posted solid Q1 2025 results, navigating softened United States travel demand while delivering 4% bookings growth and 3% revenue growth. The company beat bottom-line guidance, expanding EBITDA margins and repurchasing $330 million in shares. Despite a 49% rise in net loss, adjusted net income jumped 81%, signaling strong operational efficiency. A Street consensus estimate of US$3.01 billion was missed, according to Benzinga Pro data. The B2B segment drove growth, with bookings up 14%, while B2C bookings edged up 1%. Lodging bookings climbed 5%, and advertising revenue surged 20%, reinforcing Expedia’s diversified revenue streams. Adjusted EBITDA rose 16%, with a 105 basis-point margin expansion, underscoring cost discipline.Credit: Expedia GroupShareholder returns remained a priority, with 1.7 million shares repurchased and a $0.40 quarterly dividend paid. Stockholders’ equity declined to $2.136 billion, reflecting capital allocation strategies. CEO Ariane Gorin reaffirmed the company’s commitment to margin expansion and top-line growth. “We posted first quarter bookings and revenue within our guidance range despite weaker than expected demand in the U.S., drove bottom-line meaningfully above our guidance