CANBERRA, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has announced funding to support the nation's tourism industry amid the ongoing bushfire crisis.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the 76-million-Australian-dollar (52.2 million U.S. dollars) package, declaring that Australian tourism was facing "its biggest challenge in living memory."
The funding, drawn from the 2-billion-Australian dollar (1.3 billion U.S. dollars) national bushfire recovery fund, will be an "urgent injection" of cash for businesses hit hardest by the fires.
According to the Australian Tourism Industry Council, the fires have cost the industry hundreds of millions of dollars.
Tourism operators affected by fires have called for Prime Minister Morrison to remind potential international visitors that Australia remains open for business.
The package includes 25 million Australian dollars (17.1 million U.S. dollars) for a global tourism campaign and 20 million Australian dollars (13.7 million U.S. dollars) for a domestic marketing.
"Australian tourism is facing its biggest challenge in living memory," Morrison said in a statement.
"One in 13 Australian jobs rely on tourism and hospitality, so our 76 million AUD investment is an urgent injection to help all those hotels, restaurants and cafes and tour operators get back on their feet," he added.
"This is make or break for many businesses and tourist hot spots and not just in those areas directly hit by the bushfires. This is about getting more visitors to help keep local businesses alive and protect local jobs right across the country and especially in those areas so directly devastated."
A further 10 million Australian dollars (6.8 million U.S. dollars) will be spent building new attractions in bushfire-affected communities.
Tourism Australia has suspended the rollout of a major campaign in Britain because of the fires, while visitors from the United States have been advised by their government to "exercise increased caution."
