With less than 24 hours until the expected signing of a Memorandum of Understanding peace agreement, TAANZ is cautiously optimistic that New Zealand can begin to move forward from the Middle East conflict that has impacted travel since 28 Feb—and resume helping connect Kiwis to the world with greater confidence.
TAANZ ceo Julie White says she has been in dialogue with officials from MFAT regarding the review of New Zealand’s Travel Alert Level settings. “…the clear message we have received is that MFAT is actively reviewing the situation,” she says.
“This is consistent with the SafeTravel update on Monday, which stated that MFAT ‘will be reviewing advice in the coming days’.”
. . . Positive Steps
White says TAANZ has also welcomed the news that Emirates will offer comprehensive travel insurance coverage for customers, the first initiative of its kind for the airline.
“This is a positive step for both the sector and New Zealanders who travel through the Middle East.”
. . . Middle East
Last night, White attended a dinner hosted by BEIA and Auckland Airport, where the Hon Louise Upston announced additional funding for Tourism New Zealand, along with further support to attract business events through the Conference Assistance Programme.
“There is a growing sense of cautious confidence across the travel sector, particularly as Middle East airlines return to daily flight sched ules and fuel prices continue to ease,” says White.
“This is an important indicator of improving connectivity, strengthening traveller confidence, and sup porting the wider travel industry.”
The TAANZ boss says these developments are encouraging and represent welcome momentum for the travel sector and the travel ling public.
This all builds upon the news published yesterday that Australia’s DFAT moved its travel alert warning from Level 4 to Level 3, dropping the warning level for Qatar and the UAE from Do Not Travel to Reconsider Your Need To Travel, with this applying to transits as well. This followed intense lobbying from organisations including the Australian Travel Industry Association, see the full story in yesterday’s issue HERE.
