04 Sep Disasters, Tourism, and Resilience

The summer of 2023 will be remembered for the devastating fires impacting communities around the world. The images of destruction from Maui, Canada, and the Greek Islands are each seared in our minds. Many of these fires took place in communities that welcome visitors, highlighting the intersection of natural disasters and tourism.  

As we think about how these places will rebuild, I recall lessons from Australia’s Bushfire Season of 2019. The fires that Summer (Southern Hemisphere) ravaged much of the country, including Lamington National Park in Queensland. For me, Lamington National Park, a temperate rainforest oasis just outside Brisbane, is a place of great beauty and spiritual renewal. One of the ways to visit the park is via Binna Burra Lodge.

Binna Burra Lodge has been a leader in ecotourism for a generation. Steve Noakes, the Chair of the company, is a true leader in promoting sustainable tourism practices. He – and his organization – walk the talk. Even so, the Bushfires destroyed Binna Burra Lodge.

In the years since the fire, Binna Burra Lodge has been rebuilt and continues to operate as an iconic Australian ecotourism lodge.  In 2022, Steve and I wrote a chapter designed to explore the lessons from fire and its immediate aftermath. Our insights from that chapter:

• Be prepared: Climate change is increasing the likelihood of a range of natural disasters. Being ready for the challenges of maintaining business continuity will assist in recovery. Recognizing risks and preparing for them is critical for long-term success.

• Get back to business as soon as possible: Research shows getting back to business as quickly as possible is an important factor for recovery.
• Leverage available resources: There are a wide array of resources available to tourism organizations. These resources include tools and training on preparation for disaster. They also include resources to support recovery following the event. By leveraging these resources, ecotourism organizations can apply best practices even in the most difficult times.

For more information on resilience and climate-related natural disasters, check out our chapter:

  Day, J., & Noakes, S. (2021). Ecotourism and Climate Change In D. A. Fennell (Ed.), Routledge Handbook of Ecotourism. London; New York: Routledge

I also recommend the great report “Bushfire at Binna Burra Lodge” by Dr Debbie Cotterall and Dr Sarah Gardiner from the Griffith Institute For Tourism

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