Queensland is no stranger to natural disasters, witnessing 80 significant events in the past decade costing the state over $15 billion in damages to public infrastructure.
QTIC Chief Executive, Daniel Gschwind said, “Queensland’s landscape provides unforgettable tourism experiences, making the sector highly dependent on the natural environment.
“As severe weather becomes exacerbated by climate change, we need to ensure that local level capacities are strengthened to build community preparedness and create a resilient and sustainable tourism industry”.
The enhancements made to the various regional CrisisReady apps and toolkits, will support efforts to strengthen the tourism industry’s resilience. The apps act as guides to streamline the responses to crisis and reduce the stress associated with disaster management.
Additional functionality launched today on the UN’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, provides community chat functionality, acknowledging the importance of a coordinated community approach in disaster preparedness.
“Technology has become a part of our everyday lives” says Entegy Co-Founder and Director, Angus Hotchin. “To the point where most people have access to a mobile device that allows them to connect with their community in some way.”
“Entegy is focused on providing a flexible platform that is unique to the requirements of users and their communities. Our intention is to continue to create innovative features to power communication and engagement, combined with the tools to prepare for and guide a user through a crisis”.
EarthCheck Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Stewart Moore says, “The CrisisReady program takes disaster preparedness and emergency response to the next level by providing operators with a practical app that allows them, at any time to have access to a business continuity plan that can immediately mobilised to respond to a hazard or event".
Mr Moore continued, “the reality of our current operating environment is that it’s not a question of if a crisis will occur, but when. CrisisReady provides an understanding of how to plan for risk, train your staff, and how to become part of a regional action group to respond to crisis events as they occur.”
Mr Gschwind added, “Queensland tourism operators have faced many challenges over the past 12 months and supporting businesses to prepare for whatever comes next is essential to every community and region in Queensland. By understanding business vulnerabilities, we are giving ourselves permission to do something about it.”
The UN highlights it is time to raise our game if we want to leave a more resilient planet to future generations. Queensland tourism operators can download the app from earthcheck.org/crisisready today.
CrisisReady is proudly supported by the Queensland Government’s Department of Communities, Disability Services & Seniors.
