Coronavirus: Hope dies as holiday crowds vanish

In February, Cairns tourism operator Paul Harris was celebrating a record month after 17 years in the industry. ‘Then it went off a cliff.’

Tourism operator Paul Harris says the downturn will place a huge strain on people’s mental health. Picture: Brian Cassey

In February, Cairns tourism operator Paul Harris was celebrating a record month after 17 years in the industry. “Then it went off a cliff,” he told The ­Australian on ­Thursday.

Shutdowns enforced to limit the spread of COVID-19 have ­gutted the tourism sector, forcing operators to mothball their businesses or close them for good.

The owner of Uncle Brian’s Tours and On the Wallaby Eco Lodge in Yungaburra on the Atherton Tableland became emotional as he recalled the day he had to tell his loyal guides they no longer had jobs.

“I sat in the office afterwards and was just devastated,” he said.

Mr Harris, 45, said the mental health impacts of the virus and the recession it has induced would test a new wave of “vulnerable” Australians.

“COVID-19 has hit the vulnerable people but the virus and the economic impact has created more and more vulnerable ­people,” he said.

Modelling conducted at Sydney University’s Brain and Mind Centre and backed by the Australian Medical Association has predicted suicide rates could soar, particularly in regional areas and among younger generations.

Regions with tourism-driven economies have been identified as particularly vulnerable.

The modelling, which shows the annual suicide rate could rise from 3000 to 4500, is ­expected to be taken to national cabinet next week by Health Minister Greg Hunt as the government looks to prevent a mental health crisis.

In Cairns, the normally busy waterfront lagoon has been fenced off and the lights on the ­esplanade are out. The boats and buses that took thousands of tourists a day to the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage-listed rainforest are idle.

“I think it’s taken away the ­reason I wake up every morning,” Mr Harris said. “I built this business and took all of the hits, the ups and the downs and everything, and had a tangible asset. What is it worth now?”

He said the financial impact and mounting debt would place a huge strain on people’s mental health.

“I’m not the sort of person that would think about suicide, but if you’re someone staring down the barrel of major debt, how do you get out of that?” he said.

About 80 per cent of Mr Harris’s customers were young Europeans and he is not optimistic domestic tourists will fill the void.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind backed the government’s intentions to stave off the impending mental health crisis.

“We are obviously a huge employer and many of our employees are based outside of urban centres,” he said.

“They are all over the Australian landscape and sometimes in remote and regional destinations.

“It is true that tourism workers and operators can find themselves in very lonely circumstances.”

Mr Gschwind said the emotional impact on workers in an ­industry driven by downturns had been observed in the wake of natural disasters.

“It is important to keep an eye on that and for industry organisations like ours to reach out and connect,” he said.