New Zealand to ‘welcome the world back’ as tourism restarts

International tourism used to account for about 20% of New Zealand’s foreign income and more than 5% of GDP

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Wednesday her nation was “ready to welcome the world back” with most tourists allowed to return by May as the nation continues to ease its coronavirus restrictions (Mark Mitchell/Pool Photo via AP)

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said her nation was “ready to welcome the world back” with most tourists allowed to return by May as the nation continues to ease its coronavirus restrictions.

The announcement bought forward the date that tourists from countries including the US, Canada, Britain and much of Europe can visit from the previously announced date of October.