Thousands of people have been displaced after homes were flattened and more than 100 are confirmed dead.

The Australian manager of one of the hotels affected, Evan Burns, says the small island's tourism industry is a lifeline for many locals and hotels hit by the magnitude-7 quake have no choice but to get back to business.

"They rely so much on the hotels and tourism operating," Mr Burns told AAP on Wednesday.

"The impact is so much greater than the loss of house and things that they're going through at the moment, to lose an income as well because we've got no tourists is very bad for the island."

Mr Burns has been sleeping alongside staff in the garden of the hotel he manages in Senggigi after the home he rents with his wife and young son was destroyed.

Many of his staff are unaccounted for.

Mr Burns is urging tourists to return once hotels and businesses are back in full swing.

"The best thing people can do to give back is spending money in the economy and coming back, it essentially keeps people in jobs," he said.

The island has been rattled by earthquakes over the past week and only a handful of guests stayed behind.

Those who did have stepped in to help clear debris and get back on track.

"This morning I saw guests that were sitting around folding all the blankets that the staff used last night in the sleeping area, I saw guests sweeping up things and helping us clean up" Mr Burns added.

Entire villages have been flattened and roads cut off, hampering search and rescue crews picking through the rubble for survivors.

Widespread damage has made it difficult for government officials and aid workers to reach some areas, with those further from the epicentre still waiting for help.

Australian Associated Press