Ballarat's tourism industry should not look at Premier Daniel Andrews' easing of restrictions as its saviour yet, experts say.
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While there is a market for visitors who come to Ballarat to see their friends and family, the state government's new rules is a "baby step", according to Ballarat Regional Tourism chief executive Natalie O'Brien.
She said a market for people visiting friends and relatives exists in Ballarat, but the rules - people are allowed to leave their homes to visit friends and family if there are no more than five people indoors, or 10 people outdoors, from 11.59pm Tuesday night - show only a "small leap forward", not a sign that it's back to business as usual.
"I don't see it as opening the door for visiting friends and relatives in a big way," she said.
"Whilst we're really looking forward, as an organisation, to working alongside our hospitality and tourism industries to help reboot them, we need to take these small steps and make sure the steps are safe and viable for the businesses.
"I really see this easing of restrictions as a tiny step in the right direction, and that is encouraged."
She's echoed by Commerce Ballarat chief executive Jodie Gillett, who encouraged businesses to look long-term, and not rely on a jump in business yet.
"We, along with entire business community, looks forward to the return of tourism, we understand visiting friends and relatives will be the first market to be stimulated at some stage," she said.
"But we agree with the government, it's baby steps - we look forward to a gradual reduction on restrictions to get everyone back to business."
City of Ballarat mayor Ben Taylor said residents had followed the rules so far and kept the infection rate minimal - it has been more than a month since a new case was announced, and there are no active cases in the city - but people would need to be aware there is still a danger.
"I think for me, what we need to be as a community is to be aware of where we do travel to - we should just stay in our region and travel there," he said.
"If you have to visit elsewhere, that's up to you to do, but from our point of view, we still need to look after our region, so stay around town and visit family and friends where you can.
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"If you have family and friends that are vulnerable from a health point of view, really think about that decision to go visiting just in this time as we work through this.
"It's not like we're building a wall, but if you open the gates and say we're open, come to Ballarat, it does highlight and increase the risks here in Ballarat."
However, tourism operators could remain cautiously optimistic about the future - the current restrictions will be reviewed on May 31.
The Provincial Hotel's owner, Simon Coghlan, said the city is "uniquely placed" to draw visitors when the time is right.
"People will be desperate to get out and about and I think it is going to be quite a while before the borders are reopened. International travel is going to be off the agenda for 12 months at least, even interstate travel," he said.
"Places that have got a great offering like Ballarat are really well positioned and hopefully that is going to help us on the rebound with domestic travel."
Ms O'Brien said Ballarat Regional Tourism is working on modelling for visitor profiles, but noted short stays and day trips could be on the cards as restrictions lift in the next few months.
"There are some things like Ballarat's proximity to Melbourne, for a day trip, when the time is right, and short break trips," she said.
"People who have been inside for some time who possibly have already used up some of their leave and might not have as much discretionary money might be looking for short breaks, and I think that's an important market, along with visiting friends and relatives market - Ballarat will be in a really good position."
She said for operators, certainty on dates, like the May 31 review, is a positive in such an unpredictable time.
"It's a bit premature, but the time now is for scenario-building, and talking about changes that can be made," she said. "It gives people, psychologically, that next signpost that there will be a decision made in either direction, and they can build around that.
"Even though it's slow, we're moving in some direction."
- with Rochelle Kirkham
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