In the wake of the country’s devastating bushfires, the country’s tourism industry is encouraging Australians to staycation this year.

Tourism Australia’s Holiday Here This Year campaign urges Australians give back to their local communities or neighbors in need by planning and booking a domestic vacation. The idea is to recover, support and redistribute funds to the areas most wounded from the bushfires.

Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison said the Holiday Here This Year campaign will help spread the important message that Australian tourism is open for business, and ready and eager for visitors.

“There is no doubt that Australian tourism has been hit hard by the recent bushfires. It’s critical that we help the industry get back on its feet as soon as possible,” Harrison said. “The desire from ordinary Australians to assist the communities impacted both directly and indirectly by the bushfires has been overwhelming. This campaign seeks to show them how they can directly support the recovery by simply holidaying here in Australia.

“We are currently in the middle of the peak summer period and we’re already seeing an impact on tourism as people delay or cancel their travel plans, including to areas that haven’t been directly affected.

“That is why we are asking people to commit to holidaying in their own backyard this year — whether it’s a drive up the coast, taking a trip interstate, or ticking off a bucket list destination —  and to spread the word that Australia is ready to welcome more travellers. Holiday Here This Year is a practical way that Australians can help bushfire affected communities by filling hotel rooms, restaurants, caravan parks, beaches and more.”

International travelers should keep an eye on all the updates here and learn more about the unaffected areas in which it’s safe to travel, the areas still in desperate need of help and all the latest travel information.