New Zealand ‘reconnects with the world’ after two years
NEW ZEALAND has welcomed British visitors for the first time in more than two years after dropping most of its pandemic border restrictions.
The country halted international tourism in 2020 after imposing some of the world’s toughest border curbs.
New Zealand has long been renowned for its scenery and adventure tourism offerings.
Before the pandemic, more than three million tourists visited each year, accounting for 20 per cent of New Zealand’s foreign income and more than 5 per cent of the overall economy.
Tourists from the UK, US, Canada, Japan and more than 50 other countries were welcomed yesterday.
New Zealand reopened to tourists from Australia three weeks ago and yesterday to about 60 visa-waiver countries, including much of Europe.
Most tourists from India, China and other non-waiver countries are still not allowed to enter. Travellers will need to be vaccinated and to test themselves for the virus before and after arriving.
“Today is a day to celebrate, and is a big moment in our reconnection with the world,” Stuart Nash, the tourism minister, said.
At Auckland airport, flights began landing from early in the morning, from places including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore.
The border reopening will help boost tourism ahead of New Zealand’s forthcoming ski season. But the real test of how much the tourism industry rebounds will come in December, when the peak summer season begins in the southern hemisphere nation.
Jacinda Ardern, the prime minister, said more than 90,000 people had booked flights to New Zealand in the seven weeks since the reopening was announced.
Ms Ardern said there were no immediate plans to ease virus testing and vaccination requirements for tourists.