Australian tourism industry seeks urgent help as cost of bushfires grows

FILE PHOTO: A destroyed storage facility is seen in front of the remaining calves of dairy farmer Tim Salway in his farm in Wandella, near the town of Cobargo, Australia January 13, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australia's peak tourism body estimated the country's bushfire crisis has so far cost the industry almost A$1 billion ($690 million) and called for urgent help from the government to lure back visitors.

Industry bosses were due to meet with Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham later on Thursday as storms and heavy rain brought some respite from months of fierce bushfires across Australia's east coast.