NSW Bushfires: Blue Mountains businesses Scenic World and Fairmont Resort struggling after fires

Businesses in the Blue Mountains are hurting, suffering massive financial losses because of the tourism downturn caused by the recent bushfires.

Tourists at Echo Point lookout in Katoomba on December 9. Picture: AAP Image/Carmela Roche

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Blue Mountains businesses have lost hundreds of millions of dollars in tourist revenue because of the devastating bushfires.

Iconic tourist attraction Scenic World have had 50,000 fewer visitors in December compared to 2018 after it was shut down for several days and placed under Fire and Rescue NSW protection as a precautionary measure due to the Ruined Castle fire.

And Macquarie MP Susan Templeman, Senator for Western Sydney Marise Payne and Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill were told the Fairmont Resort has lost $2.5 million in revenue since November’s Woodford fire and staffing levels have been reduced to 50 during a visit to fire-hit Campbell Rhododendrons Gardens yesterday.

The Scenic Skyway gives you views of Katoomba Falls, the Three Sisters and Jamison Valley. Picture: Renee Nowytarger/The Australian

Fairmont Resort in Leura in 2016. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

There have been six major fires burning in the Blue Mountains since November: Woodford, Erskine Creek, Gospers Mountain, Ruined Castle, Grose Valley, Linden Creek and St Helena. All the fires have now either been contained or extinguished.

“We lost 100 percent of our bookings,” Tania Wiseman, owner of Victoria and Albert Guesthouse in Mount Victoria, said. “All 23 rooms were cancelled; someone said to us just this morning (Monday) they’re cancelling their wedding in October.”

Victoria and Albert Guesthouse owner and Mount Victoria resident, Tania Wiseman. Picture: Isabell Petrinic

Scenic World’s representative said: “When we say we’re open, we’re torn to shreds because there’s no official message.”

Blue Mountains City Council is well aware businesses are hurting and yesterday launched its LOVE LOCAL campaign.

Thick fog mixed with bushfire smoke fills the sky near the Ruined Castle fire on January 11. Picture: Saeed Khan/AFP

Smoke from the Green Wattle Creek fire is seen in the distance as NSW RFS crew monitor the remnants of the Ruined Castle fire in Jamison valley from Echo Point lookout on December 6. Picture: AAP Image/Steven Saphore

Council is urging residents of the Blue Mountains to spend at least $20 a week locally in 2020 to help the city recover after bushfires.

This will increase the local economy by up to $92 million in a year thanks to multiplier effects.

Over the next year the council will also feature specific villages each month, using social media channels, to encourage locals and those further afield to visit the city.

A Blue Mountains Bush Fire Mayoral Relief Fund is also accepting donations, to help Blue Mountains’ communities affected by the recent bushfires recover and rebuild.