Businesses welcome Melbourne visitors

It’s been a tough 18 months for businesses that rely on tourism, so the news that Melbournians can once again travel to the regions is something to celebrate.

Victoria’s peak tourism and events body welcomed the news that the state will, as of Friday, October 29, become one under the same pandemic settings.

Victoria Tourism Industry Council chief executive Felicia Mariani described it as a great day for businesses in the state’s visitor economy.

“There will be celebrating across the industry today with the green light from the Premier for our businesses to finally open,” Ms Mariani said.

“We’ve eyed with envy the freedom celebrations over the past few days, while our industry remained on ice until we reached the 80 per cent target.

“This industry is in the business of making magic memories for our guests.

“For far too long, we’ve not been able to pursue our passion — and it’s been simply soul destroying for so many.

“Today, we turn the page on a dark chapter and take the first steps on the road to recovery.”

Only last week State Member for Northern Victoria Tania Maxwell had called on the government to open the state to Melbourne residents.

“Allowing Melbourne residents to travel and stay in our regions from October 29 — the Friday before what many enjoy as an extended weekend ahead of the Melbourne Cup — would give our tourism sector and many small hospitality and retail businesses a great head-start towards recovery,” Ms Maxwell said on October 21.

And it appears the the government was listening, with Melbourne residents free to travel as of the 29th.

Ms Mariani said Victoria’s tourism industries have been shattered during the past 18 months.

“It is a testament to (their) resilience, (that) operators have managed to hang on long enough to have their perseverance rewarded,” she said.

“While our full recovery will be years in the making, today was a watershed moment in those first steps toward a new future for the industry.”