Pack your bags 2026 is shaping up to be one for the history books. The United States will mark 250 years since independence, and every corner of the country is preparing to celebrate. The nationwide commemoration, dubbed America 250, will feature a full calendar of exhibitions, cultural programs and community events across all 50 states.

From Boston’s cobbled streets to the plains of Texas, Americans are taking a long, proud look at their story. Travellers will have the rare chance to witness living history in motion a celebration that’s both patriotic and profoundly human. As Visit USA Australia notes, “It’s the perfect year to explore America’s diversity, its people and its pioneering spirit.”

Learn more about America 250

Route 66 Turns 100: Cruising the Great American Road

Few roads are as mythic as Route 66, the ribbon of highway that defined freedom and the open road. In 2026, the route will celebrate its 100th anniversary, and festivities are expected from Chicago to Santa Monica.

Vintage car rallies, roadside concerts and pop-up diners are just a few of the highlights planned along the eight-state stretch. Travellers can once again get their kicks on Route 66 this time, with centennial flair.

Road trip aficionados should book early; accommodation along the historic route is expected to sell out months in advance as enthusiasts from around the world gather to toast the “Mother Road”.

The FIFA World Cup Arrives Stateside

Football fever is set to sweep across the United States when the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off from 11 June to 19 July. Matches will unfold in powerhouse cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Dallas and Miami, injecting a festive pulse into American summer.

Tour operators are already crafting bespoke packages linking iconic stadiums with nearby national parks, cultural landmarks and coastal escapes ensuring the world’s biggest sporting spectacle doubles as an unforgettable holiday.

United Airlines Simplifies San Francisco Transfers

Long international layovers may soon be a relic of the past. United Airlines has partnered with US Customs and Border Protection to introduce International Remote Baggage Screening (IRBS) on its Sydney-San Francisco service.

In practical terms, it means passengers can skip the dreaded re-check after customs. Bags are automatically transferred, leaving travellers free to head straight to TSA screening before connecting onward. It’s a simple innovation, but one that could shave precious minutes off tight connections and a small mercy for those who’ve spent years queuing at baggage belts.

Mobile Passport App Speeds Up Arrivals

For Australians entering under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), the free Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app now offers a smoother arrival process. Travellers can securely submit passport details, a photo and customs declaration from their phone before landing — no paper forms, no fumbling.

Download the MPC app here

Frequent flyers are already singing its praises, noting faster lines and less stress after long-haul flights. For business travellers and families alike, this is the sort of efficiency that turns an ordeal into an arrival.

ESTA Fees Rise – But Travel Demand Still Strong

A small but notable update: the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) fee has increased to US$40 (about AU$60). The fee applies to tourists and business visitors under the Visa Waiver Program, allowing stays of up to 90 days.

While no one enjoys paying more for paperwork, the increase hasn’t dampened enthusiasm. The United States remains the world’s most visited long-haul destination for Australians, and demand for 2026 is expected to surge.

Apply for ESTA here

Visit USA: Your Essential Travel Hub

Finally, a nod to the team keeping agents informed. The Visit USA Australia website continues to be the industry’s hub for destination news, training tools, webinars and member updates from nearly 150 partners. From insider itineraries to downloadable brochures, it’s the most reliable gateway to all things America.

Explore more at VisitUSA.org.au

In short: 2026 will be a blockbuster year for the United States and a lucrative one for travel agents who plan ahead. Between anniversaries, innovations and global events, America is pulling out all the stops. For anyone with a passport and a sense of adventure, the land of opportunity is once again calling this time, with a confetti cannon.

By Stephen Morton

BIO

Stephen Morton has spent nearly five decades shaping how the travel industry works, talks, and sells itself. From the family-run agency of 1976 to today’s digital frontier, Morton has been at the front of the queue, often long before anyone else knew there was a queue.

By the mid-nineties, he was dragging Agents Support Systems online while the industry still worshipped the fax machine. In 2001, he launched e-Travel Blackboard (eTB), a daily newsletter that became Australia’s most read industry bulletin and expanded across New Zealand, Asia, the Americas, and into MICE.

In 2009, Global Travel Media came, which went on to scoop multiple international awards such as Best Travel Industry Website and Outstanding Digital Media Service. Later came Destination Thailand News, Global Cruise News, and now, in 2025, GTM Holidays and the forthcoming GTM Mall.

Whether lecturing students or launching titles, Morton has always been ahead of the curve, a travel industry stalwart who has turned instinct into impact.

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