Qantas crisis activates National Tourism Incident Communication Plan

The short-lived but disruptive Qantas grounding has triggered the introduction of Australia's National Tourism Incident Communication Plan.
A statement issued by Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson on Monday (31st October) confirmed that the Plan had been triggered.
The statement read "an emergency meeting of the Central Incident Management Group (CIMG) ... has confirmed the current incident as Red: High Risk, requiring a major incident response under the Plan.
"This is the first time a category red incident has been declared since the Plan came into operation in 2004.
"The Plan has been reviewed twice since 2007 and was updated in August this year to ensure optimal effectiveness and extend the range of actions likely to trigger a response beyond just natural disasters.
"The Plan is authorised by the Australian Standing Committee on Tourism acting on behalf of Federal, State and Territory Tourism Ministers.
"(The) CIMG meeting was chaired by the Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism and included representatives of that department as well as from State and Territory Tourism Organisations, Tourism Australia and the tourism industry."
The statement continued, explaining that the Plan aims to provide "leadership and advice to governments during major incidents."
CIMG's role is to "inform key stakeholders of developments, ensuring clear lines of communication and assisting in the decision making process for responding to major incidents.
"As a result of today's meeting" the statement continued "procedures have been activated to closely monitor the impact of current events on the tourism sector and to implement other practical measures such as increasing staffing levels in frontline tourism organisations to support travellers.
"It is clear that the tourism industry is being gravely impacted at a time when it can least afford additional pressures. This issue must be resolved at the earliest possible opportunity. The CIMG plans to reconvene following the Fair Work Australia hearing and will meet regularly until the issue is resolved."
Writing on EGlobal Travel Media, Peter Needham commented "so there you have it. Australia's tourism industry will be hoping the Plan will work, even if few know quite what it is!
"May the force be with the Plan!"

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