Today, the 19th March 2021, marks 365 days since all borders and entry ports of New Zealand were closed to non-residents. Wow. Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought I would be saying that.
New Zealand had one of the toughest lockdowns in the world - I'm sure my memory of our own home feeling like a cage resonates with many of you reading this. But we were really lucky in New Zealand that the short, sharp lockdown strategy imposed lasted only from the 23rd March until the 13th May, before we were able to return to a life where hugs can still happen!
It's now one year later and instead of watching in disbelief at the numbers of cases and the death tally rise day by day around the world, we're now looking on with hope, as the number of us vaccinated against the virus rises daily. Living through such dark times has reminded us all reassess what's really important in life, and how we want to spend our time in future.
Optimism is creeping into the media's narrative lately, with talks of travel bubbles between New Zealand and Australia, New Zealand and the Cook Islands + Niue. Hopefully we'll soon be able to open up our borders to the rest of the world too, because let's face it - we're trying to behave ourselves, but we are so ready for this chapter to be over. And people are chomping at the bit to travel.
At Time 2 Go!, we’re ready whenever you are. That said, we don’t want anyone to travel until it’s safe. I’ll take this opportunity to share with you some of the most frequently asked questions we’ve gotten during the pandemic.
When Can I Travel To New Zealand?
This is the million-dollar question, isn’t it. The answer is that we don’t know. Check the New Zealand government's website for current updates. We are already have many on our 'waiting list' from Australia, the USA, Canada, and the UK. How do you get on our waiting list? Check out our New Zealand Trip Snapshot and we will get in touch with you.
How Will Time 2 Go Handle Trip Planning in 2021 and Beyond?
We’re all in this together. Vendors – from airlines to hotels to tour guides and everyone in between – have been implementing, testing, revising, and improving COVID safety measures over the past months. That means that when travellers are ready, the infrastructure will be solid. We have strong relationships with our local vendors and we are confident that they will continue to take care of our travellers just as they have in the past. We might all need to be a bit more flexible, but rest assured that you’ll be in good hands.
With So Much Uncertainty, When Can I Start Planning My Trip?
We are already working on a handful of trips with people who said they need something to look forward to. Normally we dive into the planning process only after we have firm dates, but we’re taking a different approach here. For these trips, we’re encouraging you to reach out to us on Facebook, Instagram and we can schedule a call to talk about your trip — about the locals you’ll meet, the experiences you’ll have, the food you’ll eat — without booking a thing. There are actually proven psychological benefits to having something to look forward to.
What’s Next?
Here at Time 2 Go! we’re taking it day by day. As much as we can’t wait to start helping people travel to New Zealand again, we’re not going to rush into anything. Many of our travellers want to go as soon as possible, while others are in no rush. We can’t wait to help rebuild the New Zealand tourism industry, but for right now we need to stay virtual, stay healthy and sane, and wear our masks until the outlook is more stable.
Let us Help You Stay Connected to Your Future New Zealand Dream Trip
Travel Vicariously
We are currently focusing on Surprise Kiwi Adventure trips for New Zealander's to see more of their own country, which we are actively sharing on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and even Pinterest. So please feel free to share, like, follow and be part of the conversation and most importantly, keep your dreams to travel to New Zealand alive!
The “Need Something To Look Forward To” trip
Get ready for a future trip, but without dates. We can start working on trip ideas and suggestions, and talk to you about all the amazing things you’re going to do, all the experiences you’re going to have, and all the fantastic food you’re going to eat. We’ll be talking about real experiences that we’ll actually book – it’s just that we don’t know exactly when. We'll do our best to immerse yourself into the details of your future dream trip to New Zealand.
Gift Certificates That Make Others Happy
Maybe you aren’t ready to travel, but there’s someone in your family who would love a Need Something To Look Forward To trip. Give them a gift certificate as a holiday gift. Contact us to chat and brainstorm.
Time 2 Go! will help make your trip truly memorable. Take advantage of our New Zealand trip planning services for a customised itinerary.
