Halls Gap locals fear losing tourist trade Fires burn in the hills behind the Halls Gap Hotel in the Grampians on January 18, 2014. THEY were spared the flames but Halls Gap locals now hope the Grampians fire doesn't claim the town's vital tourist trade. As the Australia Day long weekend approaches, business and tourist operators have appealed for much-needed visitors to return. It comes after the popular Grampians National Park partially reopened following a bushfire emergency which forced the popular hamlet into shutdown. Coolas Ice Creamery worker Ron MacPherson opened the store as soon as Halls Gap reopened to the public early Sunday. Exhausted firefighters were the first customers "You have got to open the door and show people you are here," Mr MacPherson said. The place is not burn out. We have had a scare, the northern end is burnt that's for sure, but the southern end of the Grampians is fine. We have got to be here for the people - we need the people to survive. Quarry Restaurant owners Leigh and Steve Johnston were also determined the fire wouldn't get the better of them. In the nine years they have run the Grampians Rd eatery only one has been unaffected by natural disaster. Floods, more fires and even locust plagues have hampered the rest. "We are refusing to give up on Mother Nature," Ms Johnston said. We know she is on our side. We have to be strong. Katrina Tsobanopoulos, her husband and their 14-year-old daughter were pushing on with a family holiday despite the bushfire drama. The Bacchus Marsh troupe had evacuated from the local caravan park but couldn't wait to return to their favourite holiday spot when it reopened. "We are just keeping an eye on things," Ms Tsobanopoulos said. We are watching it but other than that we're not concerned. We've got plenty of firefighters around us. Northern Grampians Shire Council mayor Kevin Erwin said it was vital tourists knew Halls Gap was open for business. Traders told the Herald Sun summer was especially crucial because earnings helped tide them through the cooler months. "Halls Gap will welcome anyone who wishes to come there with open arms I'm sure," Cr Erwin said. That is what the business run off - it's their livelihood. Tourism Minister Louise Asher said the industry was a major economic driver for the region, contributing $949 million a year to the local economy and generating employment for 8300 people.