The removal of pre-departure testing removes a big obstacle for travellers. Photo / Michael Craig
The removal of pre-departure testing removes a big obstacle for travellers. Photo / Michael Craig
Pre-departure Covid tests are on the way out for those heading for this country and the ban on cruise ships will be lifted from the end of July.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said monitoring at the border will continue to be important but the role of pre-departure testing would change.
''While we are still working through this transition, it's fair to say we are confident that pre-departure testing will be removed by the time we come to the final phase of our reopening in July,'' she said.
The removal of the requirement will be a big boost to the travel and tourism sectors as New Zealand was increasingly out of step with other countries in requiring what is an increasingly expensive, and difficult to find, test overseas.
Not only was it a deterrent for tourists, Kiwis travelling overseas fretted they may be stranded until they tested negative.
Airlines say bringing the reopening of New Zealand's border forward for all comers to July 31 means passengers can finally book with certainty.
However, Justin Tighe-Umbers, executive director of the Board of Airline Representatives of New Zealand (Barnz), says his members want pre-departure testing gone as soon as possible.
Pre-departure testing has been left, for now, as a requirement for all visitors until July 31, with a "maybe" that it might be sooner.
"It is good that the Government has recognised pre-departure testing no longer remains an effective tool for managing Covid," he said.
"But in reality, Government may not be able to keep it anyway, because testing capacity is rapidly drying up around the world. Already passengers are reporting having to spend half a day, crossing cities to get tests done under great stress, to meet the pre-departure timing requirements.''
That was in places like Australia and Singapore.
"It is not going to be sustainable for much longer. It needs to go as quickly as possible - certainly by the end of this month."
Ardern announced today New Zealand's international border will reopen to all tourists and visa holders on July 31 - two months earlier than planned. This means tourists who require visas, including those from India and China, can return earlier than expected.
Work visa changes announced today also mean the tourism labour force can be bolstered by more overseas staff.
The Tourism Export Council also wants an earlier date for halting the tests.
''It's not ideal when travellers are making decisions where they can go to safely and easily,'' said council chief executive Lynda Keene.
The continuation of filing a pre-departure test (and travel declaration document) until August 1, h is stressful for visitors and Kiwis and could affect the 'ease of travel' element.
NZ Cruise Association chair Debbie Summers said the announcement that the maritime border will reopen without added restrictions means cruise lines can start confirming port calls and preparing ships with certainty.
Debbie Summers, chair of the New Zealand Cruise Association. Photo / Supplied
"New Zealand is an important destination for cruise lines and with worldwide demand for cruising strong again, combined with excellent regional dispersal, this sector ticks every box for value.''
Before the pandemic the cruise industry was estimated to contribute more than $500m in economic activity.
Summers said that after two years of hardship, hundreds of Kiwi ship suppliers and tourism operators can start rebuilding their businesses back, helping communities that have suffered during our pandemic years and begin preparing with confidence.
She said that after such a long absence of cruise ships from our shores, opening the maritime border was only the beginning.
To ensure the cruise sector is delivering a fantastic visitor experience will require a commitment and extremely hard work from ports, inbound tour operators, Regional Tourism Organisations, local tour operators, and the thousands of people in every region who work to make the immersive cruise experiences a success, she said.
The return of cruise will be welcomed by many communities around the country, especially those regions where it makes up a large part of their tourism like Northland, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Picton, Timaru and Rakiura Stewart Island.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) says it is delighted with today's announcement. It paves the way to welcome Norwegian Spirit to New Zealand for her inaugural season in January 2023.
As part of its ''Great Cruise Comeback,'' Norwegian Spirit is the 17th and final ship in its fleet to return to service and is currently undertaking several South Pacific sailings.
Sporting an extensive bow-to-stern USD$100 million revamp, she debuts in New Zealand waters for the very first time on January 3 next year for her inaugural local sailing season.
"As we mark our full fleet now back in the water, doing what we do best – delivering exceptional holidays at sea – we are delighted by this announcement which paves the way for our return to New Zealand waters after three years," said Ben Angell, NCL vice president and managing director, Asia Pacific.
"Our commitment to New Zealand both as a guest source market and as one of the most highly sought-after destinations on our global cruise map is steadfast and we can't wait to resume our operations Down Under for the benefit of guests, our crew and the New Zealand economy."
Norwegian Spirit's upcoming Australasian deployment will see Auckland become a seasonal home port with four turnarounds providing an additional economic boost through pre and post-cruise international visitor stays, as well as 45 visits to eight different New Zealand ports throughout the 2022/23 season: Auckland, Dunedin, Lyttelton, Wellington, Napier, Tauranga, Bay of Islands and Akaroa.
"Our guests have been patiently waiting for this news, and we are thrilled to offer the Silversea experience in New Zealand," says Adam Radwanski, Silversea's managing director Asia-Pacific.
The first Silversea voyage to New Zealand will depart in December this year on Silver Muse, with the 15-day voyage will sail from Sydney to Auckland. Silversea's sold out World Cruise 2023 on Silver Shadow departs from Sydney to Auckland for the first time in the cruise line's history, with New Zealand a key destination on the waitlist only 140-day voyage.
Tourism Minister Stuart Nash said the decision to bring the final border opening date forward allowed the country to fully reconnect to the world of international tourists and business travellers in time for our traditional peak visitor season.
"Our wider tourism sector is on the way to recovery. We will be fully open to the world in mid-winter, traditionally our quietest period for visitors. Bringing forward the date allows prospective travellers to apply for visitor visas well ahead of time before taking the next step to book a flight or a cruise for future travel," he said.
