Smart Traveller issues warning after Aussie loses $15k cruise and is deported by US immigration for taking “strange route”

• An Aussie traveller is $15,000 out of pocket after being detained by US immigration and missing his cruise.
• He was eventually deported, with the stated reason being that he had travelled an unusual route to the country, flying via Hong Kong.
• The US has seen its largest drop in Australian tourists since Covid.

An Aussie traveller has flown to New York to get on his $15,000 cruise, just to be detained by US immigration for eight hours and miss the whole thing.

The Sydney Morning Herald spoke to the anonymous traveller, who told them how he was held at John F. Kennedy in New York for eight hours, where his laptop and smartphone were examined by border guards.

Eventually, he was told he was being deported back to Australia and wouldn’t be able to board his cruise, meaning he is now $15,000 out of pocket.

The traveller was told he would not be permitted entry to the USA because he had taken an “unusual route” to reach the country. He travelled via Hong Kong.

“Eight hours later, after three interview teams and extensive examination of my laptop and iPhone, (the decision of US immigration) was that I had come to the US on a very unusual route from Australia via Asia. I flew premium economy and Cathay Pacific had the cheapest airfare.”

The traveller says he would not consider visiting the country again under the current administration.

“I feel like returning to the US under the current administration would be the equivalent of going back for your hat after escaping a devastating house fire.

“I have no wish to be burnt again.”

Following the lead of many other countries around the world, Australia’s Smart Traveller had update its warning for travel to the USA.

“Entry requirements are strict. US authorities have broad powers to decide if you’re eligible to enter and may determine that you are inadmissible for any reason under US law.

“Check US entry, registration, transit and exit requirements. Whether you’re travelling on a visa or under the Visa Waiver Program, ensure you understand all relevant terms and conditions before attempting to enter the United States.”

While this is an isolated incident, there are clearly many Australian’s who don’t feel enthused about the idea of travelling to a Trump-led USA.

Australian visitors to the USA have fallen 7% from last March compared to this March, the sharpest drop since the pandemic.

Other countries such as Germany, Spain, the UK and more have also recorded sharp drops in visitation to the USA.

Tourism Economics, USA’s internal body for travel forecasts, had previously predicted 8.8% tourism growth this year, but are now looking at a 5% decline.

Analysts believe the USA could lose billions in tourism revenue, as the current administration strains their relationship with various countries and their immigration processes grow more and more notorious for their strictness. 

Well-known trade website Skift reported today that travelers from several countries say they are less likely to visit the U.S. as a result of the political environment and policies of the Trump administration after an exclusive survey.

Among the findings: Nearly half (46%) of respondents across five countries surveyed say they are less likely to visit the U.S. due to Donald Trump’s presidency, with negative sentiment strongest in Canada (62%) and Germany (59%).

Survey results reflect the sentiment of 1,250 respondents who said they planned to travel internationally in the coming year from five countries: Canada, Germany, India, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.