A slow start is expected as New Zealand’s borders are fully reopened.

WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s borders fully reopened on Monday, but the return of international visitors and students is expected to get off to a rocky start only after the lifting of COVID-based travel limitations.

New Zealand has reported 52,538 cases of the coronavirus in the recent week even then is set to resume welcoming returnees.

The final phase of its borders reopening began at midnight local time (1300 GMT) Sunday with the maritime border and all overseas visitors allowed to submit visa applications.

However, Tourism New Zealand chief executive Rene de Monchee expects business to pick up more slowly than pre-Covid levels.

“The return of international tourism will take time as people around the world gain travel confidence,” he said.

“Tourism New Zealand is working hard to promote tourism recovery and encourage visitation to key markets to support the country’s economy.”

Tourism, including visiting cruise liners, the first of which is expected to dock in Auckland in mid-August, and international students have been big moneymakers for New Zealand’s economy.

Before the arrival of COVID-19, tourist spending generated NZ$40.9 billion (US$25.7 million) for the country’s coffers in the 12 months to March 2020.

During the same period, tourism directly contributed $16.4 billion to New Zealand’s gross domestic product (GDP), equivalent to 5.5 percent.

While tourism officials hope the allure of New Zealand’s spectacular scenery can attract returnees, the education sector hopes foreign students will also return in pre-pandemic numbers.

Foreign students used to bring in about $5 billion a year, making it New Zealand’s fourth-largest exporter, but that number fell in 2021.

Before the outbreak of the pandemic, Macleans College in Auckland hosted around 300 foreign students.

Principal Steven Hargreaves told Radio New Zealand he wished he had accepted applications months earlier so students could start returning on Monday.

“There’s a lot we need to do if we’re going to regain something that’s so important to New Zealand,” he warned.