COVID-19 border closures in March 2020 took tourism, one of New Zealand's most important industries, from hero to zero literally overnight. The next couple of years of tight border controls and periodic domestic lockdowns was painful for a sector reliant on international visitors. While robust domestic tourism, together with some government assistance, helped the industry during the COVID years, the industry significantly downsized as many tourism operators either folded and/or laid off staff.
- Market: New Zealand
- Sector: Tourism
7 February 2023