Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1936. TOURIST TRAFFIC.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 156, 15 April 1936, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1936. TOURIST TRAFFIC.

The view expressed by Mr H. H. Sterling regarding the necessity for developing tourist traffic to New Zealand will receive general endorsement, for the opportunity, once neglected, cannot be recalled. One of the aspects favourable to success of any movement toward popularising the Dominion’s natural attractions is the fact that during the season now fast drawing to a close New Zealand has been visited by a greater number of large liners than usually trade here, carrying people enjoying a world tour. They have come because of a traffic that has developed very much of late, the summer holiday cruise. On the other side of the world, where much larger populations and a far wider choice of routes make the possibilities far greater, the holiday cruise has become a remarkable institution. In this hemisphere the opportunities are more restricted. Yet the opportunity that offers is being used, by the sending of large passenger liners. The stay they make is brief because too much time cannot be given to these excursion voyages. To those who patronise the ships, the trip by sea is a considerable part of the holiday, so they need not mind if they must live in a rush for a day or two in order to see as much as possible ashore. To have a large number of visitors arrive, scamper through the country and leave again may seem cavalier treatment of the attractions of the Dominion, but it should be regarded as the beginning of things better worth while. Even as it now stands, the traffic brings its benefits, but one aspect can be accepted without reservation. It introduces the possibilities of the Dominion to many who otherwise might not have seen them, and, judging by the statements made from time to time, the visitors constitute a medium of publicity the value of which cannot be overestimated. Not only will many of those who have visited our shores have a desire to return for a more extended tour but by their descriptions of the scenic beauties and sporting resources of this land they will undoubtedly be the means of inducing others to come here, some for similar hurried travel and others for leisured visits. But if New Zealand is to receive the full measure of attention that it deserves, the wants of the tourist must be properly catered for, and in this direction it is necessary that the criticism that is occasionally voiced regarding travel facilities and accommodation should be careful y considered so that reasonable improvements may be brought about. Witn the great advances now taking place in travel services, new .fields are being opened up and New Zealand should do all possible to ensure that lull advantage be taken of the opportunity now offered.