Two years after the closure of its borders to protect itself from the pandemic, New Zealand, on Monday August 1, again opened its borders to tourists, foreign students, but also to cruises. A boon for the tourism and education sectors which represent a significant level of GDP for the country.
With our correspondent in Wellington, Richard Tindiller
Wellington Airport looked like a party to welcome tourists back to New Zealand soil. An announcement that comes three months earlier than expected. A real relief for this couple separated between the United States and New Zealand: “ It’s incredible ! We’ve been waiting for this moment for a really long time exclaims the woman. Her husband continues: It’s been two years of doubt to wonder when and if we were going to see each other again. We didn’t even know if this moment was even gonna happen ! We started our relationship without even knowing if we could see each other again. »
Maritime tourism professionals also applaud this announcement. Kevin O’Sullivan is the president of the New Zealand Cruise Association. For him, this reopening comes just in time. “ The last time a cruise ship was seen in New Zealand was in March 2020. But the next one is coming next week, August 12, so that’s very exciting. Nevertheless, the losses are quite heavy. The sector usually represents between 300 and 400 million dollars per year. So it’s a loss of almost 800 million for the New Zealand economy. »
Public concern over Covid-19
Among the visitors, there are tourists, but also foreign students, mostly Asian, who will once again be able to come to the benches of New Zealand universities. A lucrative income for the country which represents more than three billion euros per year.
If the reopening of the borders was eagerly awaited, the population remains worried about contamination during the southern winter. In July, more than 400 people died of Covid-19. A record since the start of the pandemic.
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