Australia has been badly affected by widespread wildfires, which has destroyed homes and wildlife as well having had a major impact on tourism. Forward bookings from international markets are down by up to 40% and the domestic market has been hit more strongly with bookings down 70%.
Financial damage to the industry is put at A$1 billion and may rise to A$4.5 billion (£2.3 billion) by the end of 2020, according to the Australian Tourism Export Council. Tourism minister Simon Birmingham said: “International visitors are especially critical in places like Kangaroo Island or tropical North Queensland. These are destinations that rely upon international tourists and that’s why we have got to recover those markets as quickly as we can.”
The Tourism minister said the initial aid is a stimulus package and ‘may need to be additional support and funding as we work through this recovery.’
There will be A$20 million investment on a new advertising campaign that will specifically target the overseas markets and funding for the international media hosting program.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said: “Our federal response to these devastating bushfires is comprehensive and unprecedented.”
Heavy rains in Eastern Australia offered some relief from the fires but also brought flash flooding which has closed some roads. A multi million pound advertising campaign that features Kylie Minogue, launched at the end of 2019, but was recently held back after it was deemed inappropriate in the mist of the current devastation.
