The Bendigo Motel Association has welcomed further support for accommodation providers, for the tourism industry and for small businesses.
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But association president Kristyn Slattery said there was much more that needed to be done to support accommodation providers, at several levels of government.
Responding to the state government's announcement, Ms Slattery welcomed any encouragement for Victorian tourism, particularly that which could draw people to regional areas like Bendigo.
She said the city's motels had very much felt the effects of the "circuit breaker" lockdown, in more ways than financially.
"The mental and financial fatigue our motelliers are feeling is well and truly mounting," Ms Slattery said.
Victoria's five-day snap lockdown, and the thought of more like it, added to their stress.
Sharp lockdowns did not inspire confidence either for the businesses or for people to make bookings in advance, Ms Slattery said.
She said interest from overnight visitors had been on the up the weekend Victoria re-entered lockdown.
"We had been forecasting to fill at our property," she said.
"Every day we're shut down is lost revenue. We don't have the opportunity to re-sell and play catch-up."
Bookings bounced back this weekend, as motels neared or reached capacity.
However, "one night does not make up for 12 months," Ms Slattery said.
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She said accommodation providers were "heading to the edge of a cliff" as the end of supports like JobKeeper and the rent moratorium approached.
"What it looks like for our members post-JobKeeper is more than a little bit scary," Ms Slattery said.
While she acknowledged some areas of Australia were thriving again in a COVID safe environment, Ms Slattery did not believe that was yet the case in regional Victoria.
"We're a long way to thriving again," she said.
She believed more needed to be done to support the sector, which had not had the opportunity to trade normally for almost 12 months.
"We weren't in a position to pivot through any of this," Ms Slattery said.
She said the sector had seen limited rates relief from the City of Greater Bendigo, despite the circumstances.
A position in local government dedicated to ensuring events could proceed in accordance with COVID safe requirements, and dedicated to bringing events back to the community, was also on Ms Slattery's wish list.
She said accommodation providers were operating under strict guidelines and regulations to keep people safe.
Booking accommodation directly with providers was one of the best ways Ms Slattery said people could support the sector and help the region recover.
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