Australia’s devastating bushfires have brought out the best in the country’s tourism industry – on both land and sea – though experts say the cost to the industry will reach hundreds of millions of dollars and the daunting images of smoke and fire carried worldwide are sure to deter international visitors.
Apocalyptic footage of monstrous fires, heroic firefighters, injured animals and tourists in smoke masks have filled news channels, front pages and social media around the world. The publicity risks further damaging tourism by scaring away international visitors.
On Kangaroo Island, a raging bushfire burnt out and gutted Southern Ocean Lodge luxury resort on the island’s south coast, after guests and staff were evacuated as a precaution on Friday.
The lodge’s founders James and Hayley Baillie told ABC News they were “absolutely shocked and saddened” but were determined to rebuild.
The lodge’s destruction evoked the fate of the historic, heritage-listed Binna Burra Lodge in the Gold Coast hinterland, wiped out in September by Queensland bushfires.
As fires burn on throughout much of Australia, Tourism Australia was reported yesterday to have postponed the launch in Britain of its ‘Matesong’ TV campaign featuring Kylie Minogue.
Confusion surrounds refunds for holidaymakers who booked and paid, only to be told by authorities at the last moment that they should not proceed to their holiday destinations.
Tourism Australia issued a statement on the fires.
“Like all Australians our sympathies go out to the families and communities who are impacted by the fires, and our gratitude grows stronger by the day for the front-line services facing the fires head on,” Tourism Australia’s managing director Phillipa Harrison said.
“Whilst bushfires continue to impact parts of Australia, many areas are unaffected and most tourism businesses are still open.
“It is more important than ever that we rally around our communities and the tourism sector who may have been impacted.
“We would encourage all travellers coming to Australia to seek the most up to date information prior to departure, and remain informed about changing conditions whilst on the ground.
“The Australian Government’s Bureau of Meteorology provides overall weather updates for all parts of Australia, including the latest fire warnings: www.bom.gov.au.
“For specific advice, updates are available from the Rural Fire Service, National Parks and relevant State or Territory emergency services.
“Travellers are also encouraged to speak with local tourism operators and staff at local Visitor Information Centres for advice about local conditions and how best to enjoy their time in Australia.”
MEANWHILE, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) was named as a disaster relief centre and Cruise & Maritime Voyages prepared to use its cruise ship Vasco da Gama as a rescue ship, though in the end the ship’s services weren’t needed.
MCEC chief executive, Peter King, said Australians had been “shocked and saddened by the devastating bushfires that are affecting so much of our country. Like all Australians, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) has a desire to help in any way possible.
“MCEC will become a disaster relief centre on Saturday 4 January, providing transition assistance to affected community members evacuated from Mallacoota in East Gippsland, including access to food, water, medical support and important disaster relief services.
“We will continue to work with City of Melbourne, the Victorian Government and Victoria Police to provide as much assistance as we can during this time.
“Our thoughts go out to those who have been affected by these catastrophic events.
“We appreciate members of the public may wish to assist through the donation of goods and services. MCEC is not equipped to facilitate these offers and we respectfully request community members wishing to assist, contact the dedicated authorities.”
Catastrophic bushfires burning on Kangaroo Island made Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ ship, Vasco da Gama, cancel its call to Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island on Friday.
Managing director of Cruise & Maritime Voyages Australia, Dean Brazier, said the operations team had liaised with the local port agent, South Australian Tourism Commission, and the Country Fire Service overnight.
“The escalating, uncontrolled bushfires burning on Kangaroo Island means our scheduled anchorage call to Penneshaw has understandably been cancelled.
“We have, however, offered to provide evacuation assistance if required for the locals and tourists who remain on the island. As a result, the ship has proceeded to Penneshaw and is anchored a safe distance from the coast to be on standby this morning to assist with a possible evacuation plan to the mainland.
“Should conditions improve and our services not be required, Vasco da Gama will continue her voyage today to arrive in Port Lincoln tomorrow as scheduled.”
In the end, the Country Fire Service, in association with Tasmania’s Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, advised that Vasco da Gama would not be required to help evacuate anyone from Kangaroo Island. SeaLink Ferries stood by to assist and the situation was being monitored.
Edited by Peter Needham
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