Bendigo was bustling at the weekend ahead of a packed calendar of events over the next months.
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Tourism and hospitality sectors were kept busy following the easing of restrictions across Victoria on 6pm Friday.
City of Greater Bendigo tourism and major events manager Terry Karamaloudis said he expected to see more visitors to Bendigo in the future with more than 70 events planned over the next seven months.
"Until the beginning of May, we have 71 major events locked in," he said. "We have been fortunate to be able to retain a lot of events."
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"There has been an increase in demand for accommodation (and) the data we have shows Bendigo was at 60 per cent capacity for this weekend," Mr Karamaloudis said. "Compare that to where we were a week ago - it is substantially different. The phone has been ringing with people asking about accommodation availabilty."
Bendigo Motels Association president Kristyn Slattery said her motel, the Julie-Anna Inn, was at 50 per cent capacity.
"Each time we have come out of lockdown, there has been a three-week period (before we are busy)," she said. "So 50 per cent is a good outcome. I spoke with about half of the other moteliers and the story is pretty similar across the board. The next two weekends we have a few bookings and a slow trickle of an increase. Three weeks is the standard before we are inundated.
"But there is a sense of optimism (that) we're not going back into lockdown and we will have the opportunity to get our feet back on the ground. I personally haven't had this many customer interactions in a long time. I'm in my element and loving it. It's a really nice feeling to feel positive about the industry again."
Mr Karamaloudis said he could feel a change in people's mood as he walked around Bendigo streets at the weekend.
"There were more people with smiles on their faces," he said. "At the visitor centre we greeted a number of people, the majority who were from Melbourne, who were excited to be out. It's a really great, positive step in right direction. We have been waiting for this day a long time. It is great that Victoria is together again."
Mr Karamaloudis said planned events included the sport, arts and culture and food and wine sectors.
"It's fortunate and pleasing that out to May next year we have 71 events locked in and are negotiating more," he said. "The first half calendar year could be a challenge while we clear the back log of events. There may be clashes here or there on some dates.
"But the by-product of postponing COVID events is that the calendar can be congested - but it is a good problem to have."
Ms Slattery said the accommodation sector was still uncertain about the traditionally quiet December-January period.
"There's a slow burn happening with more early interest than ever but it's not significant," she said.
"Events are pencilled in between now and March. We are excited by that and hope as many as possible get approval and can happen.
"Bendigo is an events destination. We do events so well across the city and it gives massive support for our sector."
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