New Zealand will open its borders to "certain areas" before Christmas according to the founder and CEO of Flight Centre, Graham 'Skroo' Turner.
Turner was speaking to business leaders from across the travel industry as part of Flight Centre Travel Group's Illuminate conference which was held online this year due to COVID-19.
"I'm optimistic here, I know they've been recalcitrant, but I think they will open up before Christmas, particularly to certain areas," Turner said.
He said COVID-19 had become endemic in New Zealand, so expected a change in the country's border settings.
"There's no reason why they can't open up to fully vaccinated people, being fully vaccinated will be the key, perhaps with a negative test 72 hours before travel as well," Turner said.
