After “two years of starvation”, Bay of Plenty tourism operators say reopening the borders is a step towards a more secure future.

However, a ski field says traffic light restrictions could still make operating impossible.

Te Puia chief executive Tim Cossar found it “hugely encouraging, hugely positive” that from April 12, our borders will be open to vaccinated Australians.

May 1 will see a further opening for visa-waiver countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Japan and Singapore, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Wednesday.

Cossar said it been “a real grind, particularly through the Omicron phase” and this will give a good lead-in to the next peak season.

“It’s a step towards a more secure future, the last few years have been hell,” he said.

Cossar told Stuff at the start of March that the uncertainty around reopening dates was making it “nigh on impossible” for tourism ventures to operate.

He said the latest announcement created a pathway back to what he described as “a new state of normal”.

Te Puia could now plan work such as bringing back their concert series, and that he expected a strong rebound from the Trans-Tasman market, though he admitted “people’s travel confidence will need to build up”.

He said he expected to see some Asian markets such as Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand returning soon, and that events in Europe could boost New Zealand.

“They could spring back quite well, as long as there’s air capacity. That’s our pipeline. I couldn’t see why those markets won’t be back quickly.”

Taupō Mayor David Trewavas hailed the “great news” after what he said had been “two years of starvation” for the tourism sector.

“I think the rest of the world looks to us as a pretty safe place to visit,” he said. “I’m sure they’ll come.”

But Trewavas said traffic light restrictions needed to be axed because they made ventures like Mt Ruapehu Alpine Lifts “impossible to operate,” a sentiment shared by its chief executive Jono Dean.

He said the border opening was “exceptional news, and long overdue”.

“The tourism sector has desperately needed this.”

However, Dean said that, at present, they can host a maximum of 100 visitors, and that would be “catastrophic” if still in place for the winter season.

Dean raised another fear too.

“The reality is we’re one of the last countries to open our borders,” he said.

“We haven’t helped ourselves.”

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick also welcomed the sooner-than-expected reopening.

“Seeing this happen ahead of schedule is very exciting, and the certainty this provides local businesses in very important.”

Chadwick said the announcement came at a critical time, when businesses “are under huge pressures in all areas”.

“We need the benefits of having tourists back in our city more than ever,” she said.

“The return of international tourists wil deliver support for the industry, vibrancy to our city, economic movement and jobs for our people.”

Rotorua Economic Development chief Andrew Wilson was equally upbeat, calling the announcement “great news for the city”.

“The industry is ready, and our tourism operators will be ecstatic to have international visitors back.”

It would also provide a boost for the struggling hospitality sector.

“International tourism is absolutely critical to this city,” he said.

Rotorua MP and National Tourism spokesperson Todd McClay also joined the welcoming chorus.

“The day when the first Australian tourists walk off the plane into New Zealand will be a happy one for our struggling tourism industry, likewise when people from visa-waiver countries start to arrive.”

McClay said that pre-Covid, tourism was the country’s largest export earner, employing more than 300,000 people.

“It can be a thriving industry once again and today’s steps are the first towards making that happen.”

Credit: Stuff.co.nz