Update: Kangaroo Island After the Fires
“Don’t come because you feel compassion for us - although we love and welcome the warm support extended - come because you will have an awesome time AND you will help us out!”
Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission
Kangaroo Island is known as Australia’s Galapagos Islands - with its unique ecosystem, wildlife and geographical history. After weeks of devastating wildfires, the resumption of tourism is vital to Australians, to the Island locals and the industries that have thrived there.
Craig Wickham of “Exceptional Kangaroo Island” has been on the ground monitoring the status of the fires and the recovery effort. Confusion surrounds the area of tourism in particular for those who have booked or are planning a trip to Kangaroo Island. As told to Savvy Traveller Shannon Melnyk, Wickham discusses the recent developments there.
Kangaroo Island is a major tourist attraction and yet media reports have it looking quite decimated. Hence, tourism will be important to their recovery.
Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission
Should tourists visit Kangaroo Island?
Absolutely - we are open for business and although the fires were unprecedented in scale and duration, they are now out and the community rebuild has started.
When should they visit? Now or after the fire season ends?
We are ready to host guests now - and if travellers are planning their travels now, they are potentially going to be there some weeks or even months from now and every day sees more natural recovery, more businesses open and a warm welcome extended to our guests. We have had two significant rain events in the last week so this is really going to kick-start the regrowth and recovery.
Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission
Why should they visit?
We want people to visit because we are confident we are going to provide them with a wonderful experience. Fully 50% of the Island was not impacted by fire so that looks exactly the same as prior to the fires. We want people to come and enjoy our nature, coast, food and wine and wildlife encounters. An additional layer to our storytelling is the one of resilience - both from a community perspective and a natural response. Our tour company has been open for business two weeks already (we closed down for a total of seven days) and our guests have been fascinated to learn about the experiences of the bushfires and see tangible evidence of nature springing back after the fires.
What will visitors find when they arrive? Is there still wildlife to be seen?
The Eastern part of the Island is completely unaffected so the wildlife populations are as they were pre-fire - or slightly augmented in areas closer to the fires as many animals were able to flee ahead of the fires. If you have a look at my Facebook posts from 15 January onwards lots of images show Kangaroo Island #afterthefires. Here is an example.
Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission
Why is tourism important on the island?
Tourism generates half of our economy - and is influential in the success of many of our farmer/producer enterprises through consuming local produce, or guests taking home our wine, olive oil, honey and other produce. It employs many people and this is true across Australia - nationally 1 out of every 12 jobs is tourism related. Our primary industries (sheep, cattle, oats, barley, wheat, grapes) took a big hit and they cannot get back in business as rapidly as they need to re-establish fences, flocks and pastures and may take a year or two to start generating revenue. Tourism can do this today. Don’t come because you feel compassion for us - although we love and welcome the warm support extended - come because you will have an awesome time AND you will help us out!
Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission