Tourism operators greet positive step forward

Published on : Monday, February 7, 2022

For international visitors, tourism operators are interested to launch welcome mat. However, they say that the current isolation rules will keep many away from exploring places.

On Thursday, Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, disclosed a five-stage plan for reconnecting Aotearoa with the world.

Australians and other travellers who do not require a visa will be the first tourists permitted with a promise they would have bags on airport carousels no later than July. Other international travellers will need to wait until October.
For the first time, as the Queenstown Ice Bar has reopened its doors on Friday, the owners had a new spring in their step.

In the resort town, Future Hospitality Group operates several businesses and has decided to open the new bar in spite of the doubts of operating in a pandemic.

Its co-director Bert Haines said the border news was perfect timing.

“It means the world. It’s incredible, and having a plan is exactly what we needed all along so we just know where to get to, to stage it out and how to plan our business, and to make sure we’re ready for everybody getting back,” he said.
Haines expected that it would alleviate the staffing problem for the resort town.

The statement meant more certainty, for business and for his staff who have family overseas, he said.

“A massive boost for morale. I know that any operator that I’ve bumped into the streets here, it’s always the first thing everybody says: ‘How about that announcement! How about that announcement! Here we go, let’s get ready’.

“It’s absolutely wonderful and we’re all very, very excited.”

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Tags: international visitors, Tourism operators