The business owners of Kinglake are hoping tourists will flock back to their fire-ravaged town this weekend.
Although the town officially re-opened to the public on Tuesday, local businesses are banking on the weekend tourist trade providing a much-needed economic boost for the town.
"Patrons have started to flow through the town but we're expecting and hoping for more this weekend," Kinglake's National Park Hotel owner Sharon McCulloch told ninemsn.
"Customers have been very sensitive and understanding … it's great they're coming back to the area and hopefully they'll show their support."
The pub reopened just three weeks after the devastating February 7 bushfires that killed 210 people. It has been operating on the bare essentials while the owners wait for insurance money to fix about $160,000 worth of damage.
Some staff members have not returned because they are homeless or not emotionally prepared to return.
"We should have taken a bloody holiday to be honest, but we felt the pressure to reopen," Ms McCulloch laughed.
"There's quite a few businesses here that are still up and running … people are determined to stay open."
ninemsn Travel will today run a live chat with Victoria travel expert Donna Wheeler about holidaying in the fire zones.
"We urge people with questions about travel to the region to join the web chat on ninemsn Travel today, especially if they have a holiday booked to the region," Yarra Valley and Dandenongs marketing CEO Jennifer Hutchison said.
The interactive discussion takes place between 5 and 6pm.
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