N.Z. TOURIST TRADE

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27987, 6 June 1956, Page 3

N.Z. TOURIST TRADE

RECORDS SET LAST YEAR REVIEW BY MR D. J. EYRE (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 5. Last year a record number of tourists visited New Zealand, and tourist exchange earnings rose from £1,950,111 to £2,395,847, said the Minister in charge of Tourist and Health Resorts (Mr D. J. Eyre) today. “Although the figure of 16,900 tourist arrivals is only 7 per cent, above the previous year’s figure, exchange earnings actually rose by 22 per cent.,” said Mr Eyre. “We are now earning 650,000 dollars a year from American and Canadian tourists, and this figure will be increased when the Matson Line steamers begin their new services to New Zealand.” The Minister said that some indication of this increased business was reflected by sales made through the Tourist and Publicity Department’s own tourist bureaux arid agents in New Zealand. Last year they estab lished a sales record of £2.017,600 worth of tours, an increase of £114,9Q0 over sales made the previous year. "We are inclined to think of the tourist industry chiefly in terms of overseas visitors, but our own internal or domestic tourist movement undoubtedly boosts the over-all earnings of the industry by many millions.” Mr Eyre said. “At present its value is not known, but a study of the movement is being made so that the full worth of the tourist industry in New Zealand can be assessed.” During the year New Zealand was visited by 10.689 tourists from Australia, 1737 from Britain. 1329 from the United States and Hawaii. 1463 from the Pacific islands, 376 from Canada. 730 from other British countries, 227 from other. European countries, and 332 from other foreign countries. These numbers did not include cruise shin nassengers or persons visiting New Zealand primarily on business. “Bookings already made, reports from our overseas offices, and the additional numbers that will be brought to the country by the Matson Line steamers and other services indicate that the year ahead will be even more successful for the tourist industry,” said Mr Eyre.