Tasmanian tourism operators urged to play key role in keeping visitors safe during bushfire crisis

Tasmanian tourism operators should learn from the lessons of the 2013 Dunalley bushfires as the state swells with visitors, industry experts say.

TASMANIAN tourism operators should learn from the lessons of the 2013 Dunalley bushfires as the state swells with visitors, industry experts say.

The Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania is encouraging those in the industry to keep abreast of the latest bushfire news.

Chief executive officer Luke Martin asked all tourism operators to stay informed to provide information to their guests.

“Even if the fires are nowhere near their local area, operators may have guests travelling on to other parts of the state, who might not have ready access to information sources,” he said.

TICT's Luke Martin speaks about how tourism and tourists have been affected by the bushfires. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“We learned from the Dunalley fires that regular updates and information regarding what’s open and what’s not and especially information on what places should be avoided is critical in minimising disruption and uncertainty for all.”

Details for tourists on national park and track closures and availability of accommodation will be made available at the Visitor Information Centre on Davey St, Hobart.

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More than 50 fires continue to burn across the stare, including one bearing down on Geeveston and surrounding areas. At lunchtime today, five blazes in the Central Highlands region remained at watch and act level and one, at Shannon, remained at emergency warning level.

FOR THE LATEST FIRE ADVICE, VISIT THE TFS WEBSITE

Huon Valley resident and business owner Katie Devenish and her family have lived just south of Geeveston for about six years, but made the decision to leave their property on Monday and stay with family in Hobart.

Mrs Devenish’s doughnut business Yeastie Beastie — a favourite at food markets around Hobart — will also not be operating until conditions improve.

Yestie Beastie Doughnuts vendor Katie Devenish, pictured in front of her stand at the Twilight Market in Sandy Bay, has downed tools until the bushfire crisis eases. Picture: REBECCA RAMAGE

“Apparently it’s much clearer down there today and everyone is breathing a sigh of relief, but not for long because the fires are still raging and Friday looks like being a perfect storm for fire conditions,” she said.

She said the threat of bushfires was not something she had given too much thought to when the family moved into the area.

“I always think positive — it’s really hard to imagine the worst,” she said.

“We live near the water, so there’s always that exit point so if worse came to worse I always thought we could just leave on a boat for a while.”