Australia wildfires: PM urges tourists to keep visiting amid environmental crisis

The Australian prime minister has urged tourists to continue visiting the country despite the deadly wild fires that have so far killed 26 people.

“Australia is open, Australia is still a wonderful place to come and bring your family and enjoy your holidays,” Scott Morrison told local reporters on Kangaroo Island in the state of South Australia, which has been particularly badly hit by the blazes.

The fires crisis has plagued Australia during the past few months, with the states of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia particularly badly hit.

It’s estimated that around one billion animals have been killed or injured, while thousands of people have been left homeless. The fires have created a plume of smoke wider than Europe, which has reached as far as Argentina.

“Even here on Kangaroo Island, where a third of the island has obviously been decimated, two thirds of it is open and ready for business,” Morrison said today. “It’s important to keep the local economies vibrant at these times.”

More than nine million people visit Australia every year, of whom more than 700,000 are British holidaymakers.

The UK Foreign Office warns: “Australia continues to battle serious bushfires across multiple regions.

“Authorities in some regions have declared a State of Emergency and ordered road closures and evacuations.”

“Most destinations in Australia are safe and continue to welcome visitors and all international airports in Australia continue to operate as normal,” said Tourism Australia.

The tourism board has updated information for tourists – either currently in Australia or planning to visit – on its website.

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