Challenges ahead for New Zealand tourism in 2022

A recently formed network of New Zealand’s tourism sector associations is warning members and industry stakeholders that 2022 is set to be just as challenging as 2020 and 2021.

The Tourism Association Network (TAN), established earlier this year by Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) as a forum for the senior leadership of tourism sector associations to discuss and respond to strategic issues for tourism, comprises 28 associations representing hospitality, accommodation, transport and activity interests.

Yesterday, TAN representatives had a full and frank meeting with New Zealand Tourism Minister Stuart Nash, covering prospects for the domestic tourism summer and for the staged relaxing of international border restrictions next year.

Advising that the ever-changing global pandemic environment means a huge amount of uncertainty remains, following the meeting TIA Chief Executive, Chris Roberts advised “the Government will continue with a health-based approach in 2022. When border restrictions are lifted in January and February to allow Kiwis to self-isolate upon arrival, there could be 20,000 or more return to New Zealand.

“While the majority will be vaccinated and tested, it is likely some COVID cases will come in. We will also have thousands of New Zealanders travelling around the country over summer. The Government will be watching carefully to ensure our health system can cope and the traffic light system is working effectively.

“How quickly we ease border restrictions for non-Kiwis will largely be determined by how well we do as a country in managing the pandemic in the first quarter of 2022.

“Tourism businesses need to plan for the worst and hope for the best. The Government has signalled there will be a staged approach to the return of international arrivals from May 2022, but it is possible it will be summer 2022/23 before there is any significant inflow of visitors.”

Roberts feels there is still a chance that the country could safely open up more quickly, particularly with Australia, noting “the biggest hurdle to the resumption of international tourism is the seven-day self-isolation requirement.”

Detailed analysis issued by TIA at the recent Tourism Summit Aotearoa shows the dramatic dampening effect of this requirement, with Roberts adding “if the seven-day isolation requirement extends later into 2022, the economic loss over the next three years from a slower tourism recovery could be at least $16 billion.”

TAN members will continue to advocate for a reduction or removal of the seven-day requirement when it can be safely done.

Roberts says tourism businesses are going into the summer holiday period feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension, concluding “they will be welcoming Kiwi holidaymakers with open arms and making all the necessary arrangements to keep everyone safe. But they are apprehensive about what lies ahead in 2022, after two incredibly difficult years. Their industry associations will do everything we can to support them.”

Click here to view the TIA's recovery roadmap.

Images: The Tongariro Alpine Crossing (top) and TIA Chief Executive Chris Roberts (below).