（前言：澳洲生態旅遊協會是澳大利亞生態和自然旅遊的全國性組織，會員遍布全國，也是國際上生態旅遊的領導機構之一，而這次廣泛肆虐超過半年猶未停止的森林大火，嚴重傷害澳洲生態與自然旅遊業者賴以維生的資源，當然也重重打擊澳洲的旅遊產業。該協會發出聲明，呼籲政府對業者及市場採取紓困措施，並利用重建機會打造社區、生態保育以及企業更好的環境。我翻譯全篇聲明如下，中英對照，請參考。）
澳洲生態旅遊協會對森林大火災後重建的立場聲明
Ecotourism Australia’s Bushfire Recovery Position Statement
2019-2020年，森林大火對澳大利亞自然資產的嚴重衝擊，大大的影響了以生態和自然為基礎的旅遊業，因為該行業完全依賴於我們非常重視與尊崇的自然和文化環境。協會有10％生態認證的會員位在已經宣布的森林大火緊急地帶，而我們全澳洲所有的會員都受到預訂和營收的損失，或是聲譽上的影響。
The significant impacts on Australia’s natural assets from the 2019/20 bushfires have disproportionately affected the eco and nature-based tourism sector, as this industry is completely dependent on our well regarded and respected natural and cultural environment. Ten percent of our ECO certified members are in declared bushfire emergency areas and 100% of our members across Australia have been impacted by loss of bookings and revenue, or reputational damage.
重建時的主要注意事項：
KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR RECOVERY:
- 規模：儘管從自然災害中復原對我們或整個行業而言並不陌生，但這場災難的規模、強度和國際影響，都需要有對我們產業做出國家級的重大回應。
- 時程： 從自然災難中重建既須要快速的反應，也須要長遠的眼光。
- 機會： 復原應該建設得比原先更好，以造福社區、生態保育以及企業。
- 企業生存：業者需要支持才能生存，直到市場需求回來。
- 夥伴關係：共同努力才能產生更多有效的成果。
- Scale. While natural disaster recovery is not new to us or our sector, the scale, intensity and international impact of this catastrophe requires a significant national response for, and by, our industry.
- Timeframe. Natural disaster recovery requires both a quick response and a long-term view.
- Opportunity. Recovery should build back better to benefit communities, conservation and businesses.
- Business survival. Operators need support to survive until demand returns.
- Partnerships. Working together will produce more positive outcomes.
澳洲生態旅遊協會建議政府採取的重建措施：
ECOTOURISM AUSTRALIA ADVOCATES FOR RECOVERY ACTIONS THAT：
- 對澳大利亞的生態和自然旅遊業者提供緊急紓困措施，因為澳大利亞需要該行業的存在。
- 彈性處理受火災影響的旅行社進入保護區的許可條件。
- 建立對自然區域的需求並重振市場，例如補助在地化的活動並減免國民旅遊的相關稅收。
- 開發重建之旅產品，例如解說工具包、指南、公民科學和志願服務。
- 重建社區為充滿活力、具有適應力和永續發展的旅遊目的地，例如運用生態旅遊地標章認證。
- 使用最佳技術、設計和材料修復和替換公共及私有的基礎設施。
- 舉行國家/地區性森林大火災後重建論壇，分享學習、成功和未來的計劃。
- 為保護區機關提供全面經營管理土地、野生動植物和文化價值的長期支持。
- 制定自然災害計畫和應對措施，為將來的重大事件做好準備，期能可以立即投入資金、支援和救濟措施。
- Provide emergency financial relief measures to eco and nature-based tourism operators, as regional Australia needs the industry to survive.
- Offer flexibility in protected area licensing conditions for affected commercial tour operators.
- Build demand for nature-based regions and reassure the market – e.g. by funding localised campaigns and offering tax deductions for domestic travel.
- Develop bushfire recovery tourism products – e.g. interpretation toolkits, guiding, citizen science and volunteering.
- Rebuild communities as vibrant, resilient and sustainable tourism destinations e.g. by using ECO Destination certification.
- Repair and replace public and private infrastructure using best practice techniques, designs and materials.
- Hold national/regional bushfire recovery forum(s) to share learnings, successes and plans for the future.
- Provide significant long-term support for protected area agencies to comprehensively manage the land, wildlife and cultural values.
- Establish natural disaster plans and responses to be better prepared for future significant events so that funds, support, and relief measures can be implemented immediately.
澳洲生態旅遊協會的任務和承諾
ECOTOURISM AUSTRALIA’S ROLE AND COMMITTMENT
作為生態和自然旅遊的全國性組織，我們將利用我們的網絡、資源和專業知識在艱困和復原期間為旅遊企業和地區提供支援，並引領發展，以建設一個愈來愈能調適和永續性的產業。
As the peak national body for eco and nature-based tourism, we will utilise our connections, resources and expertise to support tourism businesses and regions during the hardships and recovery, and lead development towards building an increasingly resilient and sustainable sector.
底下則是該澳洲生態旅遊協會執行長Rod Hillman的公開信，我就不再翻譯，請自行參閱：
Bushfires, Recovery and Coronavirus. A perfect storm of crisis upon crisis.
The federal, state and some local governments have responded with funding for Tourism Australia, STOs and other agencies to assist the broader industry and those directly impacted. More is needed now and into the future, but we applaud these actions and trust they will continue and take a longer-term approach once the immediate crises relent.
At Ecotourism Australia we, with input from our members, have developed our Bushfire Recovery Position Statement highlighting the key considerations for all involved in recovery efforts and the recovery actions we’re advocating for in order to restore ecotourism and nature-based tourism.
Ecotourism operators have been disproportionately impacted by the bushfires as the very asset we depend on, in many places, has gone – and will take significant time to recover. Rebuilding infrastructure is not enough – we need a considered approach to rebuild communities as vibrant, resilient and sustainable ecotourism destinations. We need to build best practice, build with changes to climate in mind and build back better than before.
Many of our operators will need financial and emotional support to survive. Revenues have disappeared as costs continue to accumulate, all of which has significant impacts on their viability and their personal health. More can be done by governments in this area by providing similar support as provided to the farming sector.
Significant and long-term financial support to our protected area management agencies (PAMs) is urgent and essential. These will require major increases to their recurrent and capital budgets – not only so that they can undertake the restoration of the natural and cultural assets impacted, but also so that they can work closely with the tourism industry and get areas open as soon as possible, allowing flexibility and innovative approaches to commercial tour operator licensing whilst the environment recovers. There is little doubt that expectations on PAMs to increase their fire management will be high.
As an organization, we are working very closely with the PAMs and are approaching local governments to support their recovery efforts.
The coronavirus has the potential to deeply impact large sections of our industry. Again, governments are moving quickly to fund responses, but we are at the very early stages and extremely close attention to the impacts will be required.
The ecotourism and nature-based tourism industry is made up of strong and resilient people and communities. We’ve had tough times before and survived, and we’ll survive again. Pilot strikes, SARS, GFC – we’ve seen them all off. We just have another challenge.
At Ecotourism Australia we will continue to utilise our connections, resources and expertise to support tourism businesses and regions during the hardships and recovery, and lead development towards building an increasingly resilient and sustainable sector.
Rod Hillman – CEO
延伸閱讀：
2019年氣候統計及30秒看地球140年逐漸發燒狀況（影片、圖片、數據）
本網誌「澳洲系列」、「氣候變遷」、「環境保護」、「生態旅遊或觀光遊憩」專欄各文
