PHOTO: ODT FILESA high-end Queenstown hotel operator worries tourists will be sleeping in unclean rooms once the trickle of international visitors turns into a flood because there will be too few staff to keep rooms clean. Hilton Queenstown general manager Chris Ehmann said occupancy levels were being restricted across the board by accommodation providers because of a shortage of staff to service rooms, and the like. While the Government often touted the country’s record-low unemployment rate, at 3.2%, as a positive, it was a hindrance when so many businesses were desperate for staff. Yesterday, borders opened to New Zealand for international visitors from visa-waiver countries, provided they returned a negative pre-departure Covid-19 test and were vaccinated. Forward bookings from those visitors to Queenstown indicate it will be June 24 before any great uplift is seen.

Source: Otago Daily Times May 02, 2022 20:49 UTC