Mandurah businesses continue to anticipate the realities of Western Australia's border opening to the rest of the world next month.
Premier Mark McGowan announced in November that visitors would be allowed back into the state from February 5.
Peel Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Andrew McKerrell said while many businesses are looking forward to this date with confidence others are concerned that an outbreak will only compound staff shortages.
"While the opening of the border will mean an influx in visitors seeking both employment opportunities and holidays in our COVID-free state, any outbreak resulting in the reintroduction of such measures and the continued inclusion of Peel in the metro area would see many local businesses continue to struggle," he said.
"We simply can't afford to go backwards, for the entire community's sake and therefore it is of immense importance we all remain vigilant and continue to employ safe practices, both within and outside of the workplace."
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Despite a sense of trepidation within the business industry, Mr McKerrell expects borders reopening to give Mandurah's tourism industry a much-needed boost.
"Given the booking data and trends being seen across the aviation industry, it is anticipated that the tourism industry will finally be provided with a much-needed boost after an unprecedented, difficult 24 months," he said.
"This forecasted increase in interstate tourism will also have a positive effect on other industries including hospitality, retail and transport.
Mr McKerrell said a sustained boost was also forecasted for the real estate sector.
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Visit Mandurah acting manager Nadine Heinen was looking forward to increased interstate and international travellers in the region.
"While Western Australians have again fallen in love with Mandurah and its beautiful waterways, largely tourism activities peak over weekends - with the arrival of interstate and international visitors, we expect to see a return in demand for tourism experiences and accommodation midweek," she said.
"Millions of dollars have, and continue to be invested in Mandurah's tourism industry and as such 2022 will likely be an incredibly exciting year for Mandurah.
"This said, we understand that there will be new challenges to overcome as border closures ease, however, businesses have had time to prepare to support a safe transition."
One of the industries hit the hardest during the pandemic has been entertainment with Mandurah Performing Arts Centre chief executive Marc Missiaen expecting uncertainty to continue as borders open.
"With the constant restrictions and border closures we've had hundreds of postponements and cancellations," he said.
"We have bands from over East booked in but we just don't know what's going to happen.
Mr Missiaen said capacity restrictions might be something MPAC has to contend with if there were to be an outbreak when borders open.
