The first episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show’s series on Australia premieres locally tonight as the Queensland flood disaster continues to worsen.

Currently, more than 20 people have been killed by the devastating disaster with many more still declared missing. The floods have also stalled business in the state with mining, , retail, agriculture and tourism industries hit by losses in revenue.

The Oprah episode features more than 300 fans of the show that were flown in for free in the country in December.Tourism Australia has clarified that all airports in the state are operational except for Rockhampton. Majority of the state's famous tourism spots including the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Fraser Coast, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Agnes Water, 1770, Whitsundays, Mackay, Townsville, Cairns and Tropical North Queensland are open with tourism operations still on schedule as well as other beaches, island resorts, hotels, tour operators and attractions. However, some parts of
central Queensland, the Outback, Western Downs and the Lockyer Valley are still badly hit by the floods.

Based on the positive response from U.S.-based Oprah viewers, the current flood crisis is not dissuading viewers from wanting to visit Australia. Overall, the show will serve its purpose to boost tourism and make more Australian destinations popular to American tourists like Kangaroo Island and Hamilton Island.