TEMPORARY SLUMP IN TOURIST ARRIVALS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22358, 23 March 1938, Page 12

TEMPORARY SLUMP IN TOURIST ARRIVALS

MANY EXPECTED TO TRAVEL

AT EASTER

(THE PRESS Special Service.]

AUCKLAND, March 22,

It is stated that arrivals of tourists from England and America, which were heavy in February, have dropped fairly considerably this month. This apparently was not expected by tourist interests, which had been catering for a steadily increasing business. No reason is assigned for the decline, wfcwh may he merely a fluctuation without significance. However, the chief concern now with tourist agencies is Easter bookings, which are already sufficient to indicate that Easter will be busy at the various resorts. The Chateau Tongariro is booked out for Easter. Quite a number of the leading 'hotels and boarding-houses at Rotorua have also experienced a strong demand on accommodation, and reservations are considered more than satisfactory at many other resorts. There are also heavy reservations for certain trains in the Easter period. . There is a marked tendency for more persons to go farther afield than is usual at Easter, and large numbers of Auckland residents are going to the South Island. The Milford track and the Southern Lakes will attract many. Immediately before Easter two cruise ships will visit Auckland. The Reliance is due on April 11 and will leave again on April 14, and the Empress of Britain, scheduled to arrive on April 12, will leave on April Ifi (Good Friday).