TOURIST TRAFFIC

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24603, 27 June 1945, Page 3

TOURIST TRAFFIC

“IMPROVED FACILITIES NEEDED”

IMPORTANCE OP AIR TRAVEL TO NEW ZEALAND "In looking over the future economic position of New Zealand it is necessary to consider the part that tourist traffic will play in the development of the Dominion," said Mr L. J. Schmitt, General Manager and Secretary of the Department of Industries and Commerce Publicity Department, in an address to members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce yesterday. The chamber, said Mr Schmitt, had taken on a scheme of advertising by the publication of a booklet and the Tourist Department thought that any organisation with such worthy ideals should be encouraged.' Any advertising that was done for the South Island would enter into the general scheme of advertising the Dominion. In the future it was hoped that New Zealand would get its fair share of the world’s tourist traffic. It might be some time before the ships would be available to carry all the tourists who would wish to visit the Dominion; but it might not be, very long before a good air service was available, and the present was not too early to start on a scheme of advertising. Canada was already in the field seeking tourists and telling the world of its wonderful scenic beauties. Prom the airways companies to the shopkeeper, everyone derived some benefit from the travelling of visitors from overseas, said Mr Schmitt, and nothing had done more than travel to rend the veil of ignorance of one another displayed by the different nations. There were sections of the community, the hotels and transport services, that came in direct contact with the traveller; but it was wrong to think that these sections received all the advantages. Tourists also contributed in taxation oh everything consumed and the taxpayer benefited accordingly. There was a wide difference in healthy rivalry and petty paro-y chialism which he was .sorry to say existed in certain parts of the world, and for the good of New Zealand advertising should be developed alonfi national lines. If the aim was to bring tourists to New Zealand then New Zealand must provide first-class facilities for travel, and any weakness in the arrangements would be remembered by those who were our paying guests. The tourist industry was a big thing and an essential service; but to get the best but of it the co-operation of the different organisations must be given. New Zealand was the first country in the world to have the Tourist Department made a department of State, In no other industry , was co-operation so necessary. Other Government departments, including the railways, road services, Department of . Internal Affairs, were interested besides shipping companies, air lines,' private cars, taxis, and sports organisations. All were necessary in the proper developnfent of the traffic. Air service was going to help New Zealand more than anything else, said Mr Schmitt. The Dominion because of its geographical position had always been at a disadvantage, but with the good air service promised It Would be possible for people of other countries with a fortnights holiday and money to spare to spend their leisure time in New Zealand. The time necessary for a holiday would be greatly reduced but where New Zealand was In a position to entertain 20,00(1 visitorsi a >ear much more would now have to be done. The country possessed everything possible to make it the best tourist place in the world.