From 6pm on Friday October 29 regional Victoria will be open to metro Melbourne once again, giving regional tourism a timely boost.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
As Victoria records an 80 per cent vaccination rate, the state government announced there will be no limits on travel and most venues and businesses, including hospitality, will be able to reopen with capacity limits.
Ararat Rural City Mayor Jo Armstrong said the community is "well prepared" to let Melbournians back to town.
"How marvellous that they can finally get out and reconnect with family and friends and favourite places again," she said.
"It has been such an awfully long time for those people who have been facing restrictions much more harsh than we have."
MORE NEWS:
Cr Armstrong said she is looking forward to showcasing Ararat to wider Victoria from October 29.
"I think really it is about welcoming people and we are a community that has always been willing to share what's great about Ararat and district," she said.
"I think we have a community that is well prepared to open our arms up again to people who have got that opportunity to come back.
"The very least that we can do is welcome them with a smile and open arms."
Ararat Motor Inn manager Michael Patel said "business is picking up" over the weekend.
"Bookings are higher than the previous weekend for sure," he said.
"We are getting bookings from metro Victoria which is good."
Mr Patel said the Motor Inn has received bookings from tourists going to the Aradale Ghost Tour, which re-opens from October 29.
"We are getting some guests from the Aradale Ghost tours this weekend.
"That brings a lot of weekend business to Ararat, it is good to have them back."
Mr Patel said customers must comply with all of the government imposed regulations, including being double-vaxxed.
"Compliance is a big part, there are new signs everywhere," he said.
"Proof of vaccination is required, that is an extra challenge for us.
"We have just updated out COVIDSAFE plans, so it is all up to date with the latest guidelines."
MORE NEWS:
In Halls Gap it is a similar story, with plenty of people booking in a trip to the Grampians.
Halls Haven Holiday Units owners and operators Chris and Jeff Lovell said when the state government announced the news of regional Victoria's opening they were flooded with enquires.
"It is pretty exciting to have people back," Chris Lovell said.
"It has been very quiet, but we tried to get in and renovate the grounds and clean up lots of things.
"The school holidays, when regional Victoria could travel, were busy but then we had a lull.
"Bu since they have announced when Melbourne could travel the phones went crazy.
"The bookings have picked up, it is lovely to see so many people enthusiastic about coming to the Grampians."
Boost for the region
Mrs Lovell said her accommodation venue is almost booked out for the coming weekend with the added business a welcome boost.
"We have been closed for most of the time, so it has been lovely to be open and we are nearly booked out for this weekend," she said.
"It was a bit of a relief.
"We just haven't had anyone, so it is great that we are going to have some people around to enjoy what we have here, which is very special.
"Regional Victorians booked a little bit earlier because they knew that they could come, but Melbournians didn't know until the last minute, so they have just had to take what was available.
"It is fantastic because once we have people here they will see what we have to offer.
"It is just great to have some money injected into the business rather than just having money going out.
"It is good for Stawell too to have people back in the region and it all flows.
"People come into town and they go and get groceries and everyone wins. It is win-win for everyone."
Chris and Jeff Lovell stepped into the ownership role in July and have faced a challenging set of circumstances since that time.
Ahead of the return of Melbourne travellers, Mrs Lovell said Halls Haven Holiday Units will be taking all the necessary precautions to limit the chance of any COVID spread.
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from The Ararat Advertiser. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the Ararat shire, sign up here