THE boss of Murray Regional Tourism has urged Victoria and NSW to "come together and create a solution" to crippling border rules.
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Mark Francis was commenting on the first day of Victorian restrictions which stop cross border residents from traversing the Murray River for pleasure.
Each week, while the limits apply, it is estimated the Murray region, which covers both states' edges, will lose 83,000 visitors, forgo $52 million of spending and 780 visitor-linked jobs will be hit.
Mr Francis said Border traders were facing a double whammy given the loss of visitor spending was compounded by locals unable to cross the frontier to support hospitality, accommodation and tourism businesses.
"It is definitely starving future bookings and it is creating a lack of confidence in people coming up to the region because there is no end goal," he said.
"NSW (COVID case) numbers are not changing and medical people say this is going to last to October or November so it erodes consumer confidence.
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"We need both state governments to come together and create a solution for the border, so it's not a blame game."
Mr Francis said if the same rules applied into spring and summer there would be a drastic impact.
He said in winter, motels and caravan parks had a monthly turnover of $20,000 to $50,000 compared to $120,000 to $500,000 in summer, "so a small business grant will not save a business in that period".
Cross border commissioners are being asked to help.
The Walwa caravan park has lost 90 per cent of bookings since the latest restrictions were flagged.
Member for Benambra Bill Tilley is taking five Border horror stories each day to Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley who was responsible for the restrictions.
He is also appealing for legal help to plot a potential court challenge to the rules.
