When Wangaratta motelier Jamie Ramage's bin is full, his business is thriving.
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It hasn't been the case for most of the year for the City Reach Motel owner, but the weekend was a step in the right direction as Melburnians made the most of their free time out of lockdown by flocking to regional Victorian centres.
But Mr Ramage doesn't want to get ahead of himself just yet.
"It's very early to be saying how wonderful it is because it's just been horrific in our industry," he said.
"Not that we're dissimilar to a lot of other industries, but it's good to see some movement is happening.
"In rural and regional circumstances, we've basically had little or no COVID and we're watching this thing vicariously on the TV and it's happening around us, but it hasn't impacted us from anything other than a rules perspective.
"Some people have done some stupid things in the capital cities I suppose, but out here in the country, all it's done is cruelled our businesses.
"Hopefully the majority of our businesses can survive, but I'm certain there are a number of hospitality businesses that have already or will go by the wayside.
"It's desperately disappointing."
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Stagecoach Motel Wodonga owner Pam Mackie has been inundated with bookings since restrictions eased last week, but fears it could be short-lived with the NSW border to open next Monday.
"We just need (Victorian Premier) Dan (Andrews) to drop the mask situation and everyone will be even happier," Mrs Mackie said.
"If you can go five minutes across the border (to Albury) and not have to wear one, where would you stay?"
Mrs Mackie said she had received numerous requests for bookings from Friday to Monday and didn't have enough vacancies to accommodate them all.
"We can't book the people that wanted four days because they can't stay the Sunday because they've been booked out," she said.
"We've actually started sending people to Wangaratta. We know a motel in Wangaratta that's been struggling as well, so we've tried to send people to them over there.
"It's definitely good for the region."
Mr Ramage revealed January and February had been slower months in the four years he has had the motel, but hopes the lack of international travel might see him welcome more visitors than normal.
"We'll just keep our fingers crossed we don't go through a quiet January and February off the back of a pandemic," he added.