AAT Kings has rolled out a selection of not-for-profit day tours and short breaks across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, designed to provide immediate support to tourism communities that have been affected by recent bushfires.
Launched in collaboration with Empty Esky and regional tourism businesses in Australia, the Bushfires Relief Giveback Experiences have been developed respectfully and in conjunction with local communities, and all trips are 100 per cent not-for-profit for AAT Kings.
During the trips, AAT Kings will bring guests and their empty Eskies – an Australian brand of portable coolers – to visit local markets, cafes and stores, where they will have free time to wander through the town, chat with the local shopkeepers and fill their Eskies with locally-made products.
The itinerary includes a trip to Kangaroo Valley and morning tea at a local café, before heading to Nowra Farmers Market, where guests can taste and buy local produce and fill up their #emptyesky, with every cent going directly to the farmers.
Guests will also get to meet some of the locals who will tell stories of recovery post-bushfires, and share firsthand how best to help these destinations.
Matthew Cameron-Smith, managing director for AAT Kings, said: “We’ve worked with local businesses to bring much-needed benefit through the tourism economy directly back to restaurants, cafes, farmers’ markets and local stores, to start providing immediate support to the regions that need it the most.”
Erin Boutros, co-founder of Empty Esky, commented: “Since the Empty Esky campaign launched, we have witnessed first-hand how powerful the Australian spirit is. The ‘Empty Esky’ trips will lead the way in effectively supporting bushfire affected towns as they recover.”
More trips and short breaks will be announced in the coming weeks, said the company in a statement.
Currently, bookings can be made at aatkings.com/bushfire-recovery, or via a local travel agent.
