(**Note: This article was written before the COVID pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions.)
Travel For Good
… or just support small businesses ravaged by fires from wherever you are
Will you take a road trip through Australia this year?
I’ve hesitated to write a word about Australia’s bush fires. Our former expat family once resided in Queensland, Australia, so I feel at a loss – yet still incredibly motivated.
Aside from appeals for direct aid - there are a few other relief and recovery concepts that are less covered by major news outlets and can be applied to nearly any disaster region or country:
1) Book Australia Travel & Keep Existing Australia Travel Plans
Australia needs tourists now more than ever.
It’s hard to fathom how vast this continent and country are, despite the range of the fires. Yet, consider, for a moment, the size of the U.S. and how distant natural disasters can be. Most Australian tourist destinations continue to remain safe and welcome visitors. In fact, they need visitors.
Check with Tourism Australia’s website for specific updates on how bushfires may - or may not - have affected destinations you already have travel plans for. For example, our former city, Brisbane, along with the Sunshine and Gold Coasts, were not impacted much, so any travel cancellation may be unnecessary.
For those considering travel, now is a great time to book a trip and show your support in 2020. Why not a road trip. Driving through Australia is one of the best ways to reach the best small towns and pristine coastline. One year ago, our family spent 3 weeks visiting our old Australian home – old friends, favorite beaches and spots. Road tripping anywhere is a great form of family travel.
According to a recent statement by Tourism Australia: “Tourism will play a big role in helping bushfire affected communities get back on their feet and Tourism Australia will provide support to regions to welcome visitors back when they are ready . . . thousands of small businesses that rely on the tourism industry are still operating across the country and need your continued support.”
2) Buy from Small Australian Businesses (wherever you are)
One of the most beautiful concepts I’ve seen is the Australian people very shining a spotlight on small-town shops and local businesses affected by the fires. A few Instagram accounts including @BuyFromTheBush, @SpendWithThem and @EmptyEsky have literally saved some small businesses in just a matter of days or weeks by marketing their wares to help make up for the devastating financial losses.
The positive trickle-down economic effect on a community from a small or local business is incredible. And so sustainable. Highlighting small businesses nearly obliterated or on the verge of collapse due to lost sales, wages, infrastructure is just plain genius.
This effort speaks volumes to the collective and increasing power social media increasingly has. We live in a global economy more now than ever - which means anyone from around the world can support natural disaster victims with their purchasing or traveling wallet.
Hashtags related to this very “buy local” subject have also picked up steam. #GoWithAnEmptyEsky and #BuyFromTheBush are trending. An “Esky” is an Australian brand of portable coolers. The idea of road-tripping, camping or traveling with “an empty esky” is a way of encouraging local or visiting tourists to visit small towns and buy everything you need while on holiday. Overall, spending more dollars locally.
#SpendWithThem
Anyone can apply the ideas or concepts above to any region in the world needing recovery and assistance - be it Puerto Rico, the Philippines, California or Australia. There are more ways than relief non-profits to show you care. Travel and shop with your heart.
cover photo by @amandamssalomao
