In honor of a struggling tourism industry, I wanted to write how to support the travel industry from inside the closed borders of New Zealand. This post contains tips for New Zealand domestic travelers to support the struggling tourism sector and sustain small businesses until international borders open again.
2021 update: as the trans-Tasman bubble opens and New Zealand begins to ease travel restrictions, the tips below apply to everyone, both domestic and international. It will take time to reinvigorate the tourism industry, long after borders have opened.
In March 2020, New Zealand closed its borders to international travel. At the time, it seemed like a short-term solution. Yet here we are, almost two years later, and the New Zealand borders remain closed. Families are separated. COVID rages on. And tourism and hospitality businesses continue to suffer.
New Zealand gained international attention for its swift COVID-19 response. After borders closed to international travelers and a hard lockdown was enforced, Covid cases dwindled and we went back to our normal lives (at least, until Delta arrived).
As far as the pandemic goes, New Zealand is a success story. But in light of all this positive press, it feels like the impact on hospitality and tourism has been glossed over. A lot of people are struggling. Many businesses are hanging on by a thread. Others have closed up shop.
It’s why I wanted to write this piece on how to boost travel from inside closed borders of New Zealand… calling all domestic travelers to sustain tourism and hospitality sectors until we can welcome international tourists again.
Disclaimer: this piece is NOT criticizing the New Zealand Government or COVID-19 response. I’m just a travel blogger directly impacted by the closed borders: separated from family, with two struggling businesses in tourism. And I’d like to share a healthier way of travel, for the economy, for environment, and for self.
Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on tourism in New Zealand
The pandemic handicapped international travel around the world. This has had devastating consequences on countries whose economic health relies on tourism.
New Zealand is no different. At the cusp of 2021-22, we seem to be no closer to quarantine-free travel. Which means little incentive for international tourists to visit New Zealand, unless it’s to reunite with family.
Although the New Zealand economy mostly recovered, the tourism industry continues to suffer.
Reports show the closed borders “contributed to a record breaking 12.2% GDP decline” by June 2020 (citing COVID-19 and New Zealand’s Tourism Decline).
Although that’s hard to swallow, there’s been good news.
Closed borders in New Zealand allowed ecosystems to repair themselves from travel traffic. There has been less littering and natural spaces are quieter than ever. In an effort to enhance mana whenua (power of the land), we’re leveraging this travel “lull” to implement more sustainable tourism.
The travel tips below aim to incorporate economic and environmental health. Whether you’re a domestic traveler or international tourist reading this long after borders have opened, this guide offers a gentler way to travel to boost local economies and preserve the land.
6 tips to boost travel from inside the closed borders of New Zealand
1. Support Māori tourism businesses
Reporting has shown the pandemic worsened economic inequalities, particularly for Māori (New Zealand’s indigenous people).
Before the pandemic, Māori tourism businesses enjoyed an upward trend as more people became interested in cultural experiences. As a result, the decline of tourism compounded existing inequality in New Zealand.
Supporting Māori tourism businesses not only helps those whose livelihoods rely on tourism. But it also casts your vote for sustainable tourism. Many answers for sustainable tourism lie within tangata whenua themselves (Māori people), whose way of life teaches us that people and land are kin. They are our elders, harboring ancient wisdom on environmental preservation.
We have a lot to learn from them.
Find Māori tourism businesses on NZ Māori Tourism. Most operate in the Bay of Plenty, Auckland, and Waikato. There’s also a few in Wellington, Canterbury, Northland, and Gisborne.
2. Shop and eat local
Of all New Zealand businesses, 97% are considered small businesses. They contribute significantly to the economy, and were hit hardest during the pandemic.
Small businesses are the heart of New Zealand. They are the gateway to New Zealand cuisine, culture, wares, and way of life.
When you shop and eat local, you are supporting a struggling hospitality industry. It’s also a step toward environmental responsibility. Small businesses tend to have a smaller carbon-footprint with ethical practices and fair trade.
When I travel, I tend to stay away from chains and large establishments. I hunt for quirky finds, hole-in-the-wall eateries, family-owned B&Bs.
Attend the farmer’s market. Peruse pop-up shops, of which there are many (these usually display local wares by NZ artisans). As above, support Māori tourism businesses and locally-run cultural events.
And read this post for a deep-dive on on how to be a mindful traveler in New Zealand:
3. Book weekend and short-stay getaways
Weekend getaways can rekindle our sense of holiday. We get active, spend more freely, and embrace spontaneity. This benefits local economies.
In New Zealand, many homes have opened their property to travelers; a way to tap into the thriving tourism. It makes for a great playground to book weekend getaways, from farm stays to city studios.
Book short stays in the next town to widen your reach and stimulate the economy. You can experience your city from a different angle or a nearby region you’ve been meaning to explore.
Expanding your spending to a wider range of locales is a great way to boost travel and tourism businesses while New Zealand’s borders remain closed.
4. Invest in New Zealand tourism activities
As someone who enjoys my own time on holiday, investing in tourism activities is outside my comfort zone. But since domestic travel offers more flexibility, booking tourism activities is an opportunity to try something new.
New Zealand is known for its adrenaline tours (bungy jumping, ziplining, white water rafting, heli biking). But there are slower activities for those looking to lower their blood pressure.
Such as food and wine tours. Walking tours. Wellness retreats. In Wellington, I’m planning on attending a pasta-making workshop and a guided hike through preserved land.
Booking tourism and hospitality activities is a direct approach to put money in small business pockets, and often comes with a lot of education and fun.
5. Stay at campsites (respectfully)
DOC and other Government bodies have frequently signaled that mistreatment of freedom camping sites will result in harder regulations or campsite closure. And that would be sad for our connection to nature and for local economies who benefit from the camper/backpacker crowd.
Camping culture in New Zealand is huge. And we like it that way. The good news is, the absence of international tourists has seen less littering and rubbish at campsites.
Even when borders reopen, we should keep this trend going. Respecting the rules on campsites and preserved land protects the environment. Clean air and pristine landscapes keep the travelers coming. It enables tourism businesses to conduct their activities there. And to draw from the mana of the land however needed.
It’s good for everyone.
I’m a well-seasoned freedom camper. Read below on everything you need to know about freedom camping and traveling on a budget in New Zealand:
6. Visit small towns outside tourist hot spots
In the last decade, the tourism boom in New Zealand enabled towns of all shapes and sizes to scale and grow.
But with the borders closed to international travelers, tourist numbers dwindled. And the smaller hubs across New Zealand suffered the most. This is part of what sparked the Do Something New, New Zealand campaign, urging domestic travelers to get off the beaten path.
Small towns feel the pinch more than anyone. Thankfully, these towns are often packed with charm, cultural hubs, and small businesses. They offer the quieter corners of New Zealand, often among idyllic landscapes where life is simpler and the sheep roam the hills.
If you’re looking for the best small towns in New Zealand for a bit of slow travel, here’s a guide below:
Thank you for reading, and for supporting travel while New Zealand borders remain closed. If you’re reading this long after COVID, I hope you’re seeing a joyous New Zealand full of domestic and international travelers alike.
