7 questions about traveling to Australia during catastrophic fires, answered

But tourism officials in Australia, the world's sixth-largest country, insist that it is still open for business - and that plenty of places that have been spared are eager to welcome visitors.

"Whilst bushfires continue to impact parts of Australia, many areas are unaffected and most tourism businesses are still open," Phillipa Harrison, managing director of Tourism Australia, said in a statement. "It is more important than ever that we rally around our communities and the tourism sector who may have been impacted."

With that in mind, these are some questions potential visitors might have as they consider traveling to Australia.

1. Is it safe to visit Australia?

As long as visitors avoid the wildfire areas - and stay aware of air quality if they have health conditions that make them especially sensitive to smoke - they should be safe. Many of the destination's most frequently visited cities are free of fires, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. And international airports are operating normally, according to tourism officials.

In a statement Friday, Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham challenged misinformation online and in some media that "exaggerates the geographical reach of these tragic bushfires."

"I urge people with a booking or considering travel to ensure they have the facts and don't compound the harm to tourism operators by unnecessarily staying away," he said.

2. What's the best way to stay updated about where the dangers are?

Tourism Australia has an information page that shows many of the country's most popular sites for international visitors as well as their status. On Friday, it showed a partial impact in the Blue Mountains and South Coast in New South Wales; smoke haze impact in Canberra; impact in South Australia's Kangaroo Island and in East Gippsland and Upper Murray in Victoria. The site includes links to regional tourism sites for more-detailed information, as well as regional emergency or fire service sites.

3. Are cruise ships still going to Australia?

Most major cruise destinations are not in dangerous areas, though five itineraries so far have been adjusted to avoid a couple of regional ports.

"To date, only minor changes have been necessary to a small number of cruises visiting specific locations in south-eastern Australia," Joel Katz, Cruise Lines International Association managing director for Australasia, said in a statement. "The country's major cities and the majority of its coastline remain open to visitors and most cruises are continuing unaffected and as scheduled." 

He said cruise lines have been monitoring the situation closely in case other changes are needed.

4. Does Australia even want tourists right now?

Absolutely. "The best way to support Australia, Australian communities, and the tourism sector is to keep visiting," Tourism Australia says on its website. "If you cannot travel to an affected area due to bushfires, one of the many ways to help includes rescheduling instead of canceling a planned trip to support the communities in the coming months."

Jarryd Salem, the Sydney-based co-founder of adventure travel blog Nomadasaurus, said in an email that anyone who is considering a visit should realize that the "vast majority" of the country is unaffected by the disaster.

Any potential visitors should also understand that Australia desperately needs tourism now in light of this disaster.

"While certain regions will be impacted for most of the summer, there are a plethora of other destinations to explore, all as beautiful and welcoming as ever," he said. "Any potential visitors should also understand that Australia desperately needs tourism now in light of this disaster. Many communities rely heavily on tourism to boost local economies, and by choosing to visit you will help directly contribute to the recovery."

Officials are thinking about the long term as well. Winchester said in his statement that the affected regions would again become safe destinations when they recover in the months or years ahead.

"Australia's fire-affected areas will rebuild and I'm confident travelers from across the globe, including from the US will continue to visit, not only to support the recovery of these regions but because they will continue to be world-class tourism destinations," he said.

5. What is the U.S. government telling its citizens about travel to Australia? 

The U.S. Embassy in Australia warned tourists to leave the South Coast of New South Wales on Jan. 2 after local authorities ordered a "tourist leave zone."

This week, the State Department raised the travel advisory for Australia to Level 2, warning Americans to "exercise increased caution" because of the fires.

"Tourists should consider postponing their trip to affected areas until the danger of natural disaster has passed," the update said, adding that fires could continue through March or April. It also noted that smoke was causing poor air quality "even in areas not directly affected by bushfires."

The Wednesday update got some negative attention in Australia, with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation describing it as a "tourism blow."

Friday, an update removed some of that language for reasons that were not immediately clear. But the advisory still kept the Level 2 status and urged Americans to have evacuation plans that do not rely on assistance from the U.S. government. The message also includes links to fire and emergency services, and suggests travelers check the air quality for their destination.

"Consider postponing your travel plans to areas where air quality is significantly affected by bushfire conditions," it says.

6. What can visitors do to help? 

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that officials are asking potential donors to send cash rather than clothes, food or other goods. The paper put together a roundup of fundraising efforts for specific needs including firefighters in New South Wales and Victoria; hunger relief; fire victims and several wildlife organizations.

7. What is life like for locals right now?

Experiences are vastly different depending on where people live, of course. Some residents have lost loved ones; others have lost their homes.

Even in areas like Sydney that aren't directly affected by fires, a reminder of the blaze lingers. Lindsay Buckley, a Sydney resident who wrote about the fires on her Frugal Frolicker blog, said in an email that air quality has been terrible.

"Some mornings I wake up and my apartment smells like bushfire," she said. "Some days it's so hazy from the smoke you can barely see the horizon." 

Still, said Salem, the reality of the disaster weighs heavily on locals, even if they aren't in any danger.

"Every single Australian is feeling the emotional strain of these fires, even those not directly affected by them, but it is not changing who we are as people," he wrote. "Any traveler who decides to come and support our communities in the coming months and years will be welcomed with open arms and heartfelt appreciation."