On 13th and 14th November, 2023, Visit Rural was invited by host, Griffith University Institute for Tourism, to attend the Resilience Conference held at the Kooralbyn Valley Resort in the beautiful, aptly named, Scenic Rim Region.
There were knowledgeable speakers and panellists who spoke about different topics related to resilience after a disaster, including keynote topics; Destination Marketing & Recovery, Resilience and Entrepreneurial Bricolage, and Designing with Place: First Nations Knowledge and Resilience.
The speakers kept attendees fascinated with firsthand stories of business survival after disasters, successful strategies implemented after disasters and shared lessons learned from their own experience.
Image by Visit Rural. Speakers onstage L-R: Damian O’Sullivan, Principal Project Manager – Dept of Tourism, Innovation and Sport, Natasha Montesalvo, Principal Consultant – Earthcheck, Elnaz Torabi, Principal Policy Officer – Dept Environment and Science, Moderator A/Prof Sarah Gardiner, Director – Giffith Institute for Tourism.
Visit Rural’s key takeaway from the conference was realising that after a disaster has significantly affected a business that relies on tourism, successful recovery stems from the resilience and community relationships within an affected region which are crucial long after the disaster has occurred. Often while dealing with the disaster, then the rebuilding, the trauma people have experienced can be left unnurtured and it can be just as devastating as losing a loved one, as people have often lost businesses that they have built up themselves, putting their hearts and souls into it.
When we have experienced the devastating effects of a disaster, we must remember to recover and rebuild ourselves and our neighbours and seek help and advice when needed.
Attending this conference provoked the question, what can we do about it? So often we watch it play out on the news, perhaps being moved to donate, but mostly feeling helpless to do anything practical.
There are actually many ways in which we, as businesses, can contribute to the recovery process. To support recovery and resilience efforts after a disaster, we can leverage our platforms and resources to address the needs of both tourists, tourism operators and affected communities.
Promoting Tourism to Rebuild Local Economies
Encouraging tourists to visit areas affected by a disaster can significantly contribute to the economic recovery of those regions. Visit Rural, for example, can feature promotional campaigns and special offers to attract visitors, showcasing the resilience and beauty of the destination. We know loyal tourists, families of residents, and former residents are tourism ‘first responders’ after a disaster, these loyal tourists are usually the first to book holidays in such a region, which attracts other tourists.
Fundraising Initiatives
We can use our platforms and influence support fundraising campaigns or collaborate with relief organisations to provide free advertising for them to help the affected communities. Funds raised can be directed towards rebuilding infrastructure, supporting local businesses, and providing aid to those in need.
Community Engagement and Collaboration
Engaging with local communities is crucial for sustainable recovery. We can use our platforms and influence to collaborate with local stakeholders, including community leaders, businesses, to understand their needs and tailor tourism initiatives accordingly.
Information and Updates
Providing accurate and up-to-date information about the recovery progress, safety measures, and the current status of attractions can be usefully displayed on tourism platforms for potential visitors. Clear communication helps dispel any misconceptions and encourages tourists to consider visiting the destination.
Showcasing Community Resilience Stories
We can use our platforms to feature stories and testimonials highlighting the resilience of local communities. Personal narratives from community members, businesses, and tourists who have experienced the recovery process can inspire confidence and attract visitors to affected regions.
Collaboration with Local Authorities
Working closely with local authorities and government agencies is essential for a coordinated recovery effort. We can support and align our business initiatives with the overall recovery plan, ensuring that tourism activities complement broader community development goals.
Image by Visit Rural. Mount Isa emergency services at the recent October 2023 bushfire disaster.
By actively participating in the recovery process and aligning its initiatives with the needs of affected communities, we can contribute significantly to rebuilding and enhancing resilience after a disaster in any affected region.
