During bushfire season tourism operators in the Geelong Otway region are encouraged to prepare for the threat of bushfire in their area.  Geelong Otway Tourism has set up a regional response team that includes industry operators, GOT staff, government officials and other stakeholders that will immediately take action on a regional response in the event that there is a crisis in our region.

The Victorian Government has launched the Crisis Essentials guide for tourism businesses to assist in preparing, responding and recovering from events like bushfires.  Launched in December, the guide was developed to inform tourism operators about how to protect their business in the events of a crisis.  The publication includes advice on risk management; developing a plan; communicating to customers; and ensuring business continuity following an emergency.

The guide is available to all Victorian tourism businesses and has been supported by a series of briefings and workshops for tourism businesses located in high fire risk areas.

Download a copy of the Crisis Essentials guide at www.tourism.vic.gov.au/crisis 

Hard copies are also available from Tourism Victoria - phone 03 9653 9777.

INFORMATION FOR VISITORS - Being Bushfire Smart this Summer

The Country Fire Authority, Department of Sustainability and Environment and Tourism Victoria have prepared a range of support material to enable visitors and operators to be better prepared in the event of wildfire in our region this season. 

International and domestic visitors are being advised to follow simple bushfire safety tips to ensure their visit to regional Victoria this summer is safe and enjoyable.

While the local community are well informed on the risks, visitors are often unaware of the nature of bushfires.

A brochure Travelling in the Great Outdoors has been developed by Tourism Victoria to increase visitor awareness of the risks of bushfires in Victoria. It provides handy tips for staying, camping, hiking or driving in areas of high fire risk.

These messages are reinforced by other free initiatives including key tags, fridge magnets, fact sheets for compendiums and Total Fire Ban Day door hangers.

Accommodation providers in areas of high bushfire risk are encouraged to display the brochure and supporting materials in prominent positions, such as reception desks or counters. Brochure holders have been specially designed to make this task easier.

The brochure and supporting materials can be ordered online. Visit www.tourism.vic.gov.au/bushfiresmart

INFORMATION FOR OPERATORS - Wildfire Tourism Engagement Project

This is an initiative to support operators in the tourism industry in the Surf Coast and Otway areas to be able to live with fire and better prepare themselves, their business and their holiday guests for wildfire.

A range of resources and services has been developed and is now available to small business accommodation providers and Visitor Information Centres. The range includes:

1. Community Fireguard for Accommodation Providers Program. A series of free information sessions to develop safe personal and business wildfire plans, including preparation for, response during and recovery after wildfire. Receive a free Emergency Management Plan CD Manual and workshop as part of this program.

2. Emergency Management Planning for Small Business Accommodation Providers Half Day workshop. A free 4-hour workshop to assist with the preparation of business emergency prevention, response, recovery and business continuity plans for emergency situations. Receive a free Emergency Management Plan CD Manual as part of this program.

3. ‘Holiday Wildfire Safety and You' 10 minute DVD. Information for visitors. Shown and distributed through Visitor Information Centres, common rooms and accommodation rooms. View online http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koKhowJaV0U

4. ‘Holiday Wildfire Safety and You' 10 minute audio CD. Essential safety information for visitors.

5. Wildfire Safety Information Pack. Information sheets and booklets to assist tourism operators in their personal and business awareness, preparation and planning.

6. Fire Danger Meter and Local Attractions and Activities template. For hosted accommodation reception and common rooms to display the weather conditions and suggested activities to suit the day.

7. Local Attractions and Activities template. For compendiums of non-hosted accommodation to advise guests of local attractions and activities to suit very cool, very hot, or every day weather conditions.