Australian bushfires - message from Tourism Tasmania
Like all Australians, Tourism Tasmania’s thoughts are with those impacted by the devastating bushfires across Australia and we extend our gratitude to the emergency services and volunteers working across the country to protect our communities.
A small number of fires have occurred in Tasmania this summer, but emergency service personnel have so far worked quickly in collaboration local communities to keep communities safe. Conditions can change quickly and visitors are asked to stay informed by checking the Tasmania Fire Service website.
Tasmania’s key tourist destinations are open and unaffected, with visitors freely able to move around the state.
Air quality in Tasmania has been largely unaffected by the smoke experienced in other parts of Australia. However, due to the movement of smoke across the country, air quality can change daily.
If concerned, visitors are urged to seek information on real time air quality in Tasmania here.
Stay informed
Travellers in Tasmania are encouraged to always remain informed as conditions can change. Information and links to key Tasmanian emergency services and resources are available via Discover Tasmania.
Tourism Australia has information on bushfire safety advice and a map that shows which popular international tourism areas have been affected by bushfires to ensure that industry and travellers have the most accurate and up to date information.
Bushfire appeals
Many people are looking for ways to support the communities and wildlife affected by the ongoing bushfire emergency. There are many organisations to support, the following list were suggested by the Tasmanian Fire Service:
To support affected wildlife:
To support firefighters:
Information for tourism operators
The bushfire emergency has impacted many with significant loss of wilderness, wildlife, homes and lives. In Tasmania, we must continue to remain vigilant and Tourism Tasmania will continue to work in close collaboration with our government partners, the state’s four regional tourism organisations and the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania.
While bushfires continue to impact parts of Australia, many areas are unaffected and tourism businesses are still open, including here in Tasmania.
In the coming weeks, Tourism Tasmania will be working with Tourism Australia and the nation’s other state tourism organisations to rally around our communities, support the tourism industry who may have been impacted and protect and build on Australia’s reputation as an international tourism destination in particular.
Tourism Tasmania is committed to providing as much support as it can to industry both here and interstate over the coming months as attention moves to recovery, however for now our thoughts remain with fire affected communities and emergency services.
Operators are also reminded, in the event of an emergency incident it is important that you stay safe, assist your guests to stay safe and only share information from appropriate authorities.
If an event occurs that may impact visitors and tourism operators, the communication channels of the regional tourism organisations, TICT and Tourism Tasmania will be used. Emergency information and advice will be coordinated by the Department of State Growth in conjunction with emergency services.
Update on Tourism Tasmania’s marketing campaigns
Tourism Tasmania has temporarily paused some elements of its marketing program, due to be showcased in interstate markets, to ensure our program is sensitive to the on the ground experiences of our audiences currently impacted by the fires, whether that be directly or indirectly.
We will continue to monitor the situation and review our approach to campaign activity as time progresses.
8 January 2020