New Zealand has confirmed its phased reopening plan that will include the return of Irish tourists later this year.
The country’s border has been virtually closed for nearly two years as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
With a struggling tourism sector, several local travel bodies have insisted the only resolution will be a planned reopening sooner rather than later.
Therefore, in the latest travel update, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that citizens of New Zealand who are in Australia will be permitted to return from February 28.
Citizens residing elsewhere in the world will likely be able to fly back two weeks after this date, she suggested.
Then from March 13, vaccinated backpackers and some skilled workers will be allowed into the country.
On April 12, up to 5,000 international students will be able to enter, however, it will be October or November before a widespread return of vaccinated holidaymakers.
Tourists from Australia and other visa-free countries on the other hand will be able to return by July.
But much to the disappointment of incoming travellers, everyone will still have to self-isolate for 10 days.
Ms Ardern said: "Our strategy with Omicron is to slow the spread, and our borders are part of that.”
Following the update, officials in the travel and tourism sector hit out at the self-isolation rules and said it would strip the sector of any meaningful recovery.
New Zealand Airports Association Chief Executive Kevin Ward insisted: "People do not want to fly to New Zealand if they have to spend their first week sitting in a hotel.”
