Murray region tourism boss wants Victorian government to allow Melbourne holidaymakers to stay in NSW border towns

On Tuesday, Murray Regional Tourism chief Mark Francis asked Regional Development Minister Mary-Anne Thomas and Employment Minister Jaala Pulford to adopt such a scheme to reignite holiday hubs such as Corowa, Mulwala, Barooga and Moama.

He joined Wodonga mayor Kev Poulton and Business Wodonga chief executive Neil Aird at a meeting with the ministers.

The government duo were in Wodonga to hear about the impact of the Victorian border closure which last week saw thousands flee from NSW under the threat of being locked out.

Mr Francis wants a permit that would allow Victorians outside the border bubble to holiday on the NSW side of that zone.

"It would mean businesses basically going from empty to very high occupancy levels straightaway because we know there's pent-up demand," Mr Francis said.

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"It would mean the difference between businesses surviving and thriving because they really need to make money over the summer period to see them through the year."

Mr Francis also called on the ministers to allow police to sleep in hotels in Wodonga, rather than in army quarters, and stay in NSW towns going without tourists.

He said police on the checkpoint Echuca were staying an hour away in Bendigo rather than in Moama just over the Murray River.

Cr Poulton said the double-whammy of the Victorian closure following on from the NSW border checkpoints was highlighted to the ministers.

"We've been through 38 out of the last 52 weeks of having border disruptions and having our economy hit," Cr Poulton said.

Speaking before the meeting, Ms Pulford and Ms Thomas indicated they were willing to provide assistance in some form.

"We recognise that in a federation, as we are, that the border communities are bearing additional levels of stress because in so many respects our border towns do represent an integrated community," Ms Pulford said.

Cr Poulton is hopeful the government will respond with help in the next fortnight, but suspects there may not be a border specific business grants program as was provided by the NSW government to its enterprises.

Mr Francis hopes a permit system could be approved by the end of the week, noting the peak summer holiday season requires quick action.