After 'two years of starvation”, Bay of Plenty tourism operators say reopening the borders is a step towards a more secure future.

However, a ski field says traffic light restrictions could still make operating impossible.

Te Puia chief executive Tim Cossar finds it 'hugely encouraging, hugely positive” that from April 12, our borders will be open to vaccinated Australians.

May 1 will see a further opening for visa-waiver countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Japan and Singapore, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Wednesday.

Cossar says it been 'a real grind, particularly through the Omicron phase” and this will give a good lead-in to the next peak season.

'It's a step towards a more secure future, the last few years have been hell.”

Cossar told Stuff at the start of March that the uncertainty around reopening dates was making it 'nigh on impossible” for tourism ventures to operate.

He says the latest announcement creates a pathway back to what he describes as 'a new state of normal”.

Te Puia can now plan work such as bringing back their concert series, and that he expects a strong rebound from the Trans-Tasman market, though he admits 'people's travel confidence will need to build up”.

Cossar expects to see some Asian markets such as Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand returning soon, and that events in Europe could boost New Zealand.

'They could spring back quite well, as long as there's air capacity. That's our pipeline. I couldn't see why those markets won't be back quickly.”

Taupō Mayor David Trewavas hails the 'great news” after what he says has been 'two years of starvation” for the tourism sector.

'I think the rest of the world looks to us as a pretty safe place to visit,” he says. 'I'm sure they'll come.”

But Trewavas says traffic light restrictions need to be axed because they madk ventures like Mt Ruapehu Alpine Lifts 'impossible to operate,” a sentiment shared by its chief executive Jono Dean.

Jono says the border opening is 'exceptional news, and long overdue”.

'The tourism sector has desperately needed this.”

However, he says that, at present, they can host a maximum of 100 visitors, and that will be 'catastrophic” if still in place for the winter season.

Jono raises another fear too.

'The reality is we're one of the last countries to open our borders.

'We haven't helped ourselves.”

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick also welcomes the sooner-than-expected reopening.

'Seeing this happen ahead of schedule is very exciting, and the certainty this provides local businesses in very important.”

Chadwick says the announcement comes at a critical time, when businesses 'are under huge pressures in all areas”.

'We need the benefits of having tourists back in our city more than ever.

'The return of international tourists wil deliver support for the industry, vibrancy to our city, economic movement and jobs for our people.”

Rotorua Economic Development chief Andrew Wilson is equally upbeat, calling the announcement 'great news for the city”.

'The industry is ready, and our tourism operators will be ecstatic to have international visitors back.”

It will also provide a boost for the struggling hospitality sector.

'International tourism is absolutely critical to this city,” he says.

Rotorua MP and National Tourism spokesperson Todd McClay also joins the welcoming chorus.

'The day when the first Australian tourists walk off the plane into New Zealand will be a happy one for our struggling tourism industry, likewise when people from visa-waiver countries start to arrive.”

McClay says that pre-Covid, tourism was the country's largest export earner, employing more than 300,000 people.

'It can be a thriving industry once again and today's steps are the first towards making that happen.”

-Stuff/Benn Bathgate.