MORE TOURISTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 284, 30 November 1928, Page 8

MORE TOURISTS.

HEAVY HOLIDAY BOOKINGS. PARTIES FROM AUSTRALIA. ACTIVE SEASON PREDICTED. "Our bookings for the coming holiday season are much heavier than they were last year,' , remarked Mr. J. W. Clarke, ufficer in charge of the Government tourist olfice, as he and the members of his staff were discovered to-day in the act of moving to new offices a few doors lower down (jueen Street. The work of the Tourist Department in Auckland will in future be carried on from premises which are to be shared with the new railway booking ottice in the Government Life buildings. Workmen are now completing the structural alterations. Mr. Clarke said that most of the outside bookings so far were from Australia. "We find," he added, "that everywhere on the toucist routes there is an appreciation of visitors from the Commonwealth. . If the Australians have the money to travel they are prepared to spend it freely and they do not worry about trifles." One reason for the greater number of visitors from across the Tasman this year is the active work which has been carried on during the winter months by the new offices which have been established in the State capitals by the Government Tourist Department and by private tourist agencies. Another contributing factor is the excellent photographic material and letterpress which has been sent out for distribution by the New Zealand publicity branch. It is questionable if anything better than the current publications has ever gone forth from this Dominion. The illustrations of Maori life are particularly striking. Motor, Rail and Steamer. In two or three instances parties from Australia are bringing their own motor cars for touring purposes. These and others have been making keen inquiries about the state of the roads in New Zealand. As in recent years, traffic will to a large extent be divided between the railways and the motor services, so that the problem of the roads is a real one. The steamers will carry their usual quota.

On their side, the officials of the Railway Department are displaying enterprise in making rail travelling attractive not only to visitors from overseas but also to New Zealanders. "Nothing is cheaper for travel in New Zealand and nothing could be more convenient than travelling with tourist excursion tickets," said a railway official. "Anyone who wants to travel extensively in the Dominion," lie said, "is a tourist within the meaning of the regulations. For the sum of £10 the purchaser may travel as much as be or she may desire in one or other of the two islands during a period of four weeks. A ticket available for both islands may be purchased for £16 5/. nnd it will be usable for seven weeks."' From England and Scotland. Confirmation' of expectations for a eood tourist season was obtained from the office of Messrs. Thos. Cook and Son. There, too, it was stated that the liest indications were from Australia, but it was stated that several big tours had been booked from England and Scotland. The peregrinating Americans niijrht also be expected to provide their usual contributions to the flow of tourist traffic.

Reports from Rotorua and Wairakei «how that the bookings for the approaching holidays are heavy, more especially for round about the New Year. This is accounted for, of course, by the fae* that so many people prefer* to spend Hiristmas in their home*. Of the South Tsland resorts, most bookings from Auck'and so far have been for the Fran7 Josef Glacier. Milford Sound and Mount Ook. The new hostel at Milford will be opened to-morrow. Another new hostel which will be extensively used 'his season is the one at Waito.no. Neither the last tourist season nor + he one before could be resarded as nartiralarly good, but on every hand there are sisms that the season which is now commencing will be exceptionally active. \ livelier tourist season is an indication ->f more prosperous times.