TOURISM operators on the Tasman Peninsula say spending time and money in the area is the best donation people can give as they try to counter perceptions that the bushfire threat is unabated.
The Arthur Highway is open, the Port Arthur Historic Site is operating and boats owned by Tasman Island Cruises are back on the water.
Now businesses hope the recent spate of visitor cancellations is over.
Karen Gowlett-Holmes from the Eaglehawk Dive Centre said the perception that the Tasman Peninsula was still under threat from bushfires had caused cancellations.
The situation is similar on Tasmania's east coast, where tourism operators are trying to get word out that it is safe and visitors should return to enjoy the rest of summer.
"A lot of businesses went bankrupt after the Port Arthur massacre because people stayed away.
"We need people here again and we need them now." Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said the Tasman Peninsula and Bicheno had been hit hard by a downturn in visitor numbers in the wake of the bushfires.
"A lot of businesses were getting cancellation calls last week," Mr Martin said.
"The key message we need to get out is that Tasmania is open for business and the visitor experience is just as it was three weeks ago.
"The great attractions which bring people to these regions are still there and have not been diminished."
TICT and Tourism Tasmania have launched a campaign to try and stop international and national travel agents cancelling bookings or changing itineraries.
Tourism Tasmania chief executive John Fitzgerald met with regional tourism organisations yesterday to establish a recovery plan for the sector.
"It is a collective approach with agreed actions in the weeks ahead." Mr Fitzgerald said.
Meanwhile, staff at the Port Arthur Historic Site, which was closed for eight days during the crisis, said a big crowd toured the site yesterday.
