With working holiday visa holders and some skilled workers now allowed to enter New Zealand with no self-isolation requirements, tourism operators are looking forward to welcoming working holidaymakers as they return to New Zealand.
Describing the outcome as a big step on the road to recovery for the tourism industry Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) communications manager, Ann-Marie Johnson said working holidaymakers will help fill skill shortages being felt across many sectors, including the primary industries and hospitality.
“They will also be keenly sought after by many tourism operators who are trying to fill vacancies as they look to address workforce shortages across the industry,” she said.
“The working holidaymakers will also provide a welcome boost to the tourism industry as they explore Aotearoa New Zealand and experience all we have to offer.”
This week marks the second anniversary of the closure of New Zealand’s borders which Ms Johnson described as 730 days of pain for small and large tourism businesses throughout the motu (country).
“Tourism was the first industry to be the affected by the pandemic and will be the last to recover. We are heartened that the Government has signalled that our borders are likely to open to international visitors sooner than planned and we are keen to see the new timeline which is expected imminently,” she said.
“It would be wonderful if New Zealand could reopen to Australian visitors in time for their April school holiday period which includes Easter. If forecasts are correct, New Zealand’s Omicron outbreak will have passed its peak by then.”
Many parts of the tourism industry operate to long lead times. Airlines and the cruise sector in particular are finalising their schedules and selling itineraries for next summer. Tourism operators also need some time to prepare their businesses for the return of international visitors.
The current asymmetric border settings mean Kiwis have the option of going to Australia without the ability for Australians to come here.
“The industry’s recovery will not begin until high value business travellers and holidaymakers can enter New Zealand,” Ms Johnson said.
Mike Parker-Brown is a UK-trained and qualified journalist and an award-winning travel communicator with more than 30 years experience.
Since 2002, Mike has worked as a freelance writer and PR consultant providing his services to major organisations in Australia and internationally in the tourism, aviation, hospitality, recruitment and export marketing sectors.
