A Rotorua travel agent says the end of the managed isolation system at New Zealand's border is like "the end of the war".
However, some in the tourism and accommodation industry think there is still a long way to go.
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins today announced plans to ease international travel restrictions in 2022.
Hipkins said from January 17 fully vaccinated New Zealanders would be able to travel from Australia without going through MIQ, though travellers would still need to self-isolate at home for seven days.
From February 14, fully vaccinated Kiwis can travel from all other countries. And from the end of April, all other fully vaccinated travellers can come into New Zealand without needing to go into MIQ.
Following the announcement this afternoon, Galaxy World Rotorua director Joanna Corbett said the announcement was like ''the end of the war''.
'It is such a big relief I've had a hug with my colleague. This is the beginning and the best news I have had all year.''
''I feel taller and lighter, there are no words to describe it.''
Yesterday, Corbett had told her husband they needed to start re-employing their staff.
''I said I'll take the risk because I think it's going to go and here it is. The flood gates have opened.''
HelloWorld Travel Rotorua owner Deborah Kay said she couldn't wait for 2022.
"Finally, some dates to work with in order to give our clients and our Industry a much needed idea of when we can reconnect with families, friends and the rest of the world."
Kay said she hoped the announcement would enable travel agents to do what they love, helping clients to make travel plans.
"To finally be able to trade Internationally again will not only help our Industry but allows us to help our clients navigate their way in terms of travelling now."
Rotorua Top 10 Holiday Park owner Jared Adams said it was good to have a date to plan towards.
"It's better than having no idea. The goalposts seem to keep moving and I hope these ones stay put."
Adams said the lead up to January would be "interesting to see" — he was worried about the spread of Delta in the country over the Christmas period.
"It is a little exciting to have this ray of light but I think we won't see some proper [tourism] traffic until after winter."
In the meantime, Adams said he wanted more direction from the Government about how accommodation providers could operate under the new traffic light system.
Travel Agents' Association of New Zealand president Brent Thomas said, in his view, the sector was hardest hit by Covid.
Since the pandemic, 90 per cent of revenue had been stripped from the industry. He said while it was good to start getting some dates there would be a lot of New Zealanders who were disappointed they could not travel until mid-January and would miss out on Christmas and New Year celebrations with family.
''I think the Government could re-consider that decision given how vaccinated Kiwis and Australians are.''
However, he said, agents were looking forward to people being able to travel again.
Rotorua MP Todd McClay thought the announcement was likely to disappoint the tourism sector.
"What's the difference between December 24 and January 17? There's no difference except that's the date the Government has chosen.
McClay said, in his view, the announcement had effectively "cancelled Christmas" for Rotorua Kiwis stranded in Australia and it wouldn't immediately help local businesses.
"Our tourism sector needs a shot in the arm."
McClay feared the requirement for travellers to self-isolate for seven days upon arrival in New Zealand would effectively close the border to potential Australian holidaymakers come May.
"It's like self-MIQ. I fear what will happen is a lot of Kiwis will go overseas but not an equal amount of foreign tourists will come to New Zealand."
Te Puia chief executive Tim Cossar said he welcomed the announcement of resuming safe international travel in 2022.
"However, we do not anticipate that this will result in an immediate bounce back to pre-2020 international travel numbers.
"The seven-day isolation criteria will put a handbrake on more solid growth but we recognise that it is needed to ensure safe travel can be sustained without large community outbreaks."
Cossar said "so much is changing right now" and it was Te Puia's view that Covid-19 related policies still had a way to go.
"But we remain optimistic and ready for a busy domestic summer with the border around Tāmaki Makaurau due to be released next month."
Rotorua Economic Development marketing and insights head Jo Holmes said local businesses would be glad for the clarity the announcement provides.
"We know local businesses have been asking for certainty around international border openings.
"Local businesses will still have questions around what this means and we're looking forward to understanding the details as the government releases more information."
House of Travel Pāpāmoa, Mt Maunganui and The Crossing owner-operator Tanya Aitken said the announcement was ''brilliant''.
''The reality is that's all we could have asked for at this time was some guidance on the borders. That is not just tourism but the whole country just needs to know so they can plan.''
She said agents had spent a lot of time speculating with customers on when and what they could do.
''So this just provides certainty for everyone to start making some decisions and planning in their life. To be honest it feels a bit surreal but we are very excited.''
''There are emails flying around everywhere.''
House of Travel Tauranga owner Shane Kennedy said it was a step in the right direction.
''It's all about building everyone's confidence.''
He said there was no doubt the industry has ''been beaten up''.
''This will make it easier to reconnect Tauranga travellers to the world.''
You Travel Bethlehem managing director Kay Rogers said she was absolutely delighted.
''I think it's an early Christmas present and wonderful.''
She acknowledged some people may have reservations about how Covid was going to look now.
Everyone needed to do the right thing, take precautions and face it ''one day at a time,'' she said.
''I'm so happy and it was unexpected news which has made it even better.''
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Travel in 2022 won't be the same as pre-2020, Hipkins warned.
All travellers will require a negative test, proof of vaccination and declaration they haven't been in very high-risk countries. They will also require regular testing after they have arrived.
A phased approach to reconnecting NZ to the world was the safest approach to protect vulnerable communities and the health system, Hipkins said.
Hipkins said he understood the trauma some families were going through with these restrictions but wouldn't comment if any of his family were impacted.
Jetstar's first planes to Sydney and Gold Coast have taken off from Hamilton this week.