Warning: mysqli_query(): (HY000/3): Error writing file '/var/tmp/MYlEp5xJ' (Errcode: 28 - No space left on device) in /var/www/html/cwnew/wp-includes/wp-db.php on line 2033
WITH Kevin O’Sullivan CEO, NZCA – Positive news for travel: Two weeks ago I wrote (hopefully) two-way quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and Australia (by air) could become a reality late in Apr.
Yesterday the New Zealand Prime Minister announced that the trans-Tasman bubble would indeed happen with flights beginning on 19 Apr.
Excellent news even with a word of warning that, if there is a lockdown at either end, then you’re on your own and don’t expect any help.
Although the airlines and travel agents have been inundated with booking requests, the first wave of visitors on both sides of the Tasman will be friends and family flying in to see people with whom COVID has denied close contact.
When ski fields open we will see visitors arriving in even greater numbers as Australians make up around 70% of international ski vacationers.
Phased returns are important because we must make sure we are ready for the cruise recovery too.
We can’t just switch on an industry that has been paused for more than a year, and we are planning with operators, communities, local and central governments for a carefully phased return to business.