N.Z. HOTELS FOR TOURISTS

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26796, 30 July 1952, Page 8

N.Z. HOTELS FOR TOURISTS

“LACK OF SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION”

DEPARTMENT’S REPORT TO PARLIAMENT

(From Our Puritamentarv Reporter)

WELLINGTON, July 29. New Zealand’s reputation as a tourist country was suffering because there was a lack of suitable hotel accommodation, said the annuel report of the Department of Tourist,and Publicity tabled in the House bf Representatives to-day. Prospects for the development of lucrative overseas tourist business had never been brighter, but there were faf too few hotels which measured up to the standards ahd services required to cope with the demand. All too frequently there was no hotel offering the accommodation demanded in places needing them most, the report said. “Our general shortage of suitable guest accommodation has been critical for some time, but a stage has how been reached where the repercussions are seriously endangering the whole tourist industry and New Zealand’s good name,” the report added. "Reports from both internal and overseas bureaux make disturbing reading. Ail bureaux comment that the obtaining of suitable hotel accommodation is Still their greatest problem and the greatest source of complaint. There have been all too many instances Where tours planned for overseas Visitors have had to be modified or even abandoned or where they have had to accept inferior accommodation to avoid omitting some noted resort." The report said that the travel manager in London tor the department said that the opinion was forming >there that New Zealand was falling behind other countries in the provision of modem hotel facilities.

Importance in Economy “The importance of hotels ih New Zealand’s economic life is often not fully appreciated,” the report continued. “They are most necessary to a healthy overseas toiirist trade, but are not required for that purpose alone. They are equally important in providing service for New Zealanders who travel, whether on business or pleasure, and ih catering for overseas visitors who come primarily on business trips but decide to see something of the country while they are here." Although New Zealand's population had increased tremendously in the last 25 years, accommodation facilities had remained more or less static, and in some areas had eVeh deteriorated, the report said. Two of the best-known tourist resorts, Rotorua and Queenstown, were tnore badly affected. During the year two guest houses at Rotorua had closed, and at Queenstown in many instances visitors had to be placed in bed and breakfast houses, and others had asked fot Srhebded itineraries to Ovoid stopping there because of the boor standard of accommodation.

The position was further aggravated by the number, said to be increasing, of conferences being held. They resulted 'often in tourist areas being booked out completely at the peak of travelling seasons and the report said it would be helpful if conferences could be planned to take place at times other than when pressure on accommodation was greatest.