New Zealand welcomed thousands of travelers from around the globe on Wednesday as the country opened its borders to visitors from around 60 nations including the United States, Britain and Singapore for the first time since COVID-19 hit in early 2020.
Maori cultural performers sang songs at the arrivals gate in Auckland and travellers were handed popular locally made chocolate bars as the first flights came in from Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Friends and family hugged and cried as people were reunited for what was for some the first time in more than two years.
Garth Halliday, who was waiting at the airport for his son, daughter-in-law and grandson to land from London, told local media it made him happy and emotional to see so many families reunited.
New Zealand had some of the toughest curbs in the world during the pandemic and only recently started to ease the increasingly unpopular measures, hoping to boost tourism and ease labour shortages now the Omicron variant is widespread domestically.
Borders were opened to New Zealanders and Australians in February and March. Now visitors from around 60 visa-waiver countries can enter as long as they are vaccinated and test negative for COVID. There are no requirements for isolation.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told attendees at the U.S. Business Summit in Auckland that overseas visitors will really “bring back a piece that has been missing from New Zealand and New Zealanders.”
On Monday, 43 international flights were scheduled to arrive or depart from Auckland International Airport carrying around 9,000 passengers.
Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty said demand had exceeded expectations with many of the services filling up.
“This is welcome news for the New Zealand tourism industry who has weathered a difficult storm,” she said.
Tourists from a number of countries including India and China continue to be barred with restrictions for them not being lifted until October.
An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing a bit of analysis on this. And he actually bought me breakfast as a result of I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the deal with! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love studying more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you thoughts updating your weblog with extra particulars? It is extremely helpful for me. Large thumb up for this blog post!
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself? Plz reply back as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to know wheere u got this from. thanks
We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your site provided us with valuable information to paintings on. You have done an impressive job and our entire community can be thankful to you.
Very interesting topic, regards for putting up. “Remember when life’s path is steep to keep your mind even.” by Horace.
I¦ve recently started a site, the information you provide on this web site has helped me tremendously. Thanks for all of your time & work.
I see something genuinely special in this internet site.
It’s actually a nice and useful piece of information. I am glad that you just shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
Have you ever thought about publishing an ebook or guest authoring on other websites? I have a blog based on the same topics you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my readers would appreciate your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e mail.
I have been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this blog. Thanks , I will try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your web site?
You can definitely see your skills in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.