Australia’s under pressure tourism industry is to get a A$76 million (US$52 million) shot in the arm.
Images beamed around the world of blackened forests and dead wildlife hit the industry hard with forward bookings from international markets down by up to 40%.
The domestic market has fared even worse with bookings down 70%.
Financial damage to the industry is put at A$1 billion and may swell to A$4.5 billion by the end of the year, according to the Australian Tourism Export Council.
"International visitors are especially critical in places like Kangaroo Island or tropical North Queensland. These are destinations that rely upon international tourists and that’s why we have got to recover those markets as quickly as we can," said tourism minister Simon Birmingham.
Birmingham said the money is an ‘initial’ stimulus package and ‘may need to be additional support and funding as we work through this recovery.’
There will be A$20 million spent on a new ad campaign tagrgeting key overseas markets and funding for the international media hosting program.
The industry generates about 3% of annual economic output.
"Our federal response to these devastating bushfires is comprehensive and unprecedented," said Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Heavy rains in Eastern Australia offered some relief from the fires but also brought flash flooding which has closed some roads.
