New Zealand to 'welcome the world back' as tourism restarts
Source: Associated Press
New Zealand to ‘welcome the world back’ as tourism restarts
By NICK PERRY
March 16, 2022
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Wednesday her nation was “ready to welcome the world back” with most tourists allowed to return by May as the nation continues to ease its coronavirus restrictions.
The announcement bought forward the date that tourists from countries including the U.S., Canada, Britain and much of Europe can visit from the previously announced date of October.
International tourism used to account for about 20% of New Zealand’s foreign income and more than 5% of GDP.
But when the pandemic began, New Zealand enacted some of the world’s strictest border controls and tourism evaporated. The measures were initially credited with saving thousands of lives and allowed New Zealand to eliminate or contain several outbreaks.
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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/covid-business-health-travel-lifestyle-7c173e94e7219e9f930238c8ca7753e6