THE Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) is urging Victorians to support regional tourism operators as they face a double whammy hit to their businesses following the announcement of a two-month ban on Chinese tour groups visiting Australia and cancellation rates following the bushfires.

VTIC chief executive Felicia Mariani said regional businesses in fire-affected areas were reporting they would be forced to close their doors if visitation doesn't increase in the next month or t