Nature is capricious.  One day we can be gripped by drought, only to see parched lands washed away after record floods.  Some have described Australia's current flood crisis in messianic terms; the devastation in southern Queensland and northern NSW is of  "biblical proportions" and with each passing day it's difficult to dispute this.  The stoic are increasingly unsure of their reference points and decisions by governments - such as Victoria's commitment to a billion dollar desalination plant - are looking flaky at best and irresponsible at worst.  For Australia, the timing during the peak summer holiday period, could hardly be worse.  In the lead up to the floods there was an exodus from our shores as the strengthening dollar made overseas travel more attractive than it's been in a very long time.  The clarion call by tourism authorities and operators to stay calm and stay home is sadly as empty as the dams are full.  In the major tourism centres there simply isn't the infrastructure to support tourism.  If it isn't under water, it's under threat.  Of course, Australia isn't alone in dealing with natural disasters.  It's just that the country can ill afford to have it happen at what is usually the most fertile time in its economic cycle.  With so much of Queensland now a declared disaster zone, it may well become a ghoulish tourism destination as people come to see a community brought to its knees.  Ironically, there will never be a cheaper time to vist.  Airlines will be keen to fill seats when airports are operational and hotels will have rooms to rent by the score.  Ah well, better late than never. [Read more...]