Sydney, 17 November 2005

The tourism industry welcomed consultations with Government on preparedness for avian influenza conducted in Sydney on 17 November.  The consultations were convened by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources and the National Tourism Alliance.   Standards Australia hosted the consultations at its Sussex St premises.  Peak tourism associations attended together with state and territory tourism organisations.

The Department of Health and Ageing briefed participants on Australian Government preparedness for avian influenza, with particular focus on the interim Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza (AMPPI) released by Minister Abbott for public comment in June this year.  The AMPPI provides the framework for a Commonwealth-State response to the threat of avian influenza.  The Plan reflects the World Health Organization’s tiered categories of six pandemic threat levels.  Globally the threat is presently at Phase 3, reflecting infection of humans but no human-to-human transmission. 

Industry noted the advice of the Department of Health and Ageing that Australia domestically is presently at Phase 0 of pandemic alert, reflecting no discernible threat.  In this context, industry noted it was important that the probability of a major pandemic occurring in Australia was not overstated and that public confidence is maintained in Australia’s preparedness to deal effectively with any threat that may arise. 

Industry acknowledged that the interim AMPPI is a very positive step and asked to be further consulted in developing the next version of AMPPI.  The industry acknowledged the importance of industry itself showing leadership in ensuring that small business, which makes up most of the tourism industry, is well informed and able to respond effectively, should a pandemic occur.

The Department of Health and Ageing also briefed on key elements of preparedness under the Plan, including the Government’s provision of $133.6 million for the National Medicines Stockpile to fight an influenza outbreak, and $5 million contribution to CSL’s trialling of a vaccine and its subsequent fast track production. The Department posts current information on avian influenza at www.health.gov.au

Participants heard that Australia has successfully contained and eradicated all five of the previous outbreaks of the highly pathogenic form of avian influenza in Australian poultry flocks, and that the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry will be testing Australia’s preparedness for an avian influenza outbreak in poultry in a nation-wide simulation exercise from 29 November to 1 December.  This reinforces the need for caution against overstating the risks presently posed to Australia.

Participants heard that Australia has committed a total of $41 million since 2003 to combating avian influenza and other zoonotic diseases in our region.  This includes $15.5 million committed to Indonesia, $8 million to the Pacific States, and $3 million to Vietnam.  Australia is also a core member of the US-led International Partnership on Avian Pandemic Influenza. 

Participants were briefed on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advice to Australians travelling abroad.  They were told that Australians travelling or residing in affected countries should discuss the risks with their doctor as part of their routine travel checks, and consider taking prudent steps such as arranging access to an influenza anti-viral medicine.  They need to understand that, in the event of a large-scale pandemic, there would be serious limitations on the Government’s ability to provide consular assistance, including emergency evacuations.  Further information is available at www.smartraveller.gov.au

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources briefed on the readiness of the National Tourism Incident Response Plan and how it can be expected to interact with the AMPPI.  The Response Plan will provide the framework for the Commonwealth, States and industry to coordinate sector-specific information and responses in the tourism sector.  Participants heard that the Response Plan has been activated to green (watching brief status) to maintain vigilance against the threat of avian influenza.  The Department maintains a bulletin page for industry-related information on avian influenza at www.industry.gov.au/avianinfluenza

The industry believed it important to reinforce the value of the current National Tourism Incident Response Plan by improving awareness of the Plan and ensuring that key personnel in Government and industry are able to test it in mock crisis scenarios.  These scenarios should pay particular attention to the Response Plan’s communication protocols as industry believes that good communication will be a key strategic tool. Communication should be timely and accurate, and provide guidance to businesses on how to handle issues as they arise.  

Joyce DiMascio of the Tourism and Transport Forum and Matt Hingerty of the Australian Tourism Export Council presented industry concerns about preparedness for a pandemic and the potential impacts on the tourism industry of interventions outlined in the AMPPI.  Karl Sullivan of Qantas outlined key issues in enterprise preparedness and business continuity planning for the industry to consider, drawing on examples of Qantas’ own planning for avian influenza.

In the discussion that followed presentations, industry highlighted the need for timely and accurate information about the progression of avian influenza, the strategies adopted by Governments to deal with it, and information critical to tourism enterprises in maintaining business continuity and planning for recovery.  Discussion also focussed on the effects of possible border restrictions on Australians abroad and foreign visitors in Australia, possible limits on gatherings, and implications for the accommodation and hospitality sectors of quarantines.

Industry observed that it was much better prepared than it was for SARS. Many of the problems experienced by the tourism sector during SARS  related to unfounded fears fostered by the media and a lack of clear and unambiguous communication from authoritative sources about the reality of SARS.  Industry associations noted they would play a critical role in facilitating the flow of information from Government to members and between members themselves in the event of an avian influenza pandemic. 

Industry noted the possible front line exposure of certain tourism and hospitality workers in dealing with foreign visitors, and asked that Government consider the associated need of these workers for protection and access to resources and information available to front line workers. 

Industry also stressed that Australia’s reputation as a destination will rely heavily on how foreign guests are treated in a time of crisis and that bad word-of-mouth can damage the tourism industry as surely as the impact of a terrorist crisis.  Industry asked that Government consider affording foreign guests all the support and protection given to Australian citizens in the event of an influenza pandemic.

Industry asked that Government consider developing a simple and accessible aid for businesses to use in undertaking its own planning for a possible crisis.

The session highlighted the importance of a cohesive Government industry approach to preparedness, management and recovery and outlined the key roles and responsibilities for Government and industry alike.  The tourism industry will continue to work closely with the Government to ensure that it knows how to plan and deal with a global pandemic, should this occur.

For further information:  

Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources:    Melinda Clarke     02 6213 6297

National Tourism Alliance:                                                     Gary Donnison     02 9264 2185