TOURIST TRAFFIC REVIVAL

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21090, 15 February 1934, Page 8

TOURIST TRAFFIC REVIVAL

AUSTRALIAN VISITORS TO NEW ZEALAND INFLUENCE OF PLEASURE Cruises That the New Zealand tourist traffic is steadily on the increase, and that it must continue to increase, is the belief of Mr R. J. AnwyJ, manager for Thomas Cook and Son, Wagons-Lits (Australasia) Ply., Ltd., who is at present on a visit to Chrislchurch on a tour of the South Island. Mr Anwyl said yesterday that those who had been forced to forgo their holidays during the depression would seize the opportunity offered by returning prosperity to travel more extensively. As far as Australians were affected by this tendency New Zealand would beneiit. New Zealand, and particularly the South Island, had presented quite a problem to Cook's agency over the summer season. This was partly due to "the pleasure-cruising craze"' in Australia. Most of the big overseas boats had been making cruises lasting from 15 1o 20 days, and the charges had been so reasonable that many had taken advantage of them. These boats travelled from Australian ports to Noumea, Samurai, the Barrier Reef, Port Moresby, and similar places, and the trips could be made for approximately the same cost as a round trip to New Zealand Thus a certain amount of tourist traffic had been deflected from the Dominion. New Zealand Traffic Suffers Cook's agency had made special efforts in advertising and publicity work to counteract this tendency, and had been rewarded with a great deal of success. The return on the labour and expense, however, had not been completely satisfactory, and the New Zealand traffic had certainly suffered from the popularity of the pleasure cruises. But, oil the other hand, the craze for pleasure cruises had taught many Australians to travel md had given them the desire to see other parts of the world. They were bound to "go next door" and visit New Zealand, for all they had to do was "to pop across the Tasman." There was no question that the depression had hit the New Zealand tourist traffic very hard over the last two or three years, continued Mr Anwyl, but there were now definite signs of a revival. The South Island was gradually coming into its w.vn. The North Island generally received more publicity than the South Island, and the attractions in the north must always be recognised. But most countries maintained Ihat their scenery was the most beautiful in the world, and it was necessary to shout loudest. The ideal tour of New Zealand, Mr Anwyl added, combined a survey of both islands.