Businessmen From Overseas Now Frequently Visit N.Z.

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28562, 16 April 1958, Page 11

Businessmen From Overseas Now Frequently Visit N.Z.

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON. April 15 More overseas businessmen h«ve visited New Zealand in the last year than ever before. This increase follows a trend which has been in evidence since the end of the Second World War. Except for 1952-53. each year h?s brought a greater number of businessmen to these shores. In 1956-57 there were 3712 visitors on business, compared with 1696 in 1946-47. Last October and November were particularly busy months, with an average of nearly 444) a month. The president of the United

Kingdom Manufacturers and New . Zealand Representatives' Associa- ’ tion iMr G. I Stock) agreed that in the last three years there had been a greater influx than ever before. "Once it was quite a thing to - have businessmen visiting New Zealand.” he said. "Now they just pop in and pop out. Some get a round-the-world ticket and > find themselves in Australia or • Malaya, and then just come over I to New Zealand." Air travel, taking four deva , from Britain instead of four : weeks, was responsible for much ‘ of the increase, he said. ’ The Tourist Department has . found that a very large proper- ; tion of the viaitin* businessmen . combined a short holiday witn business and spent some time sightseeing. On the other hand, statistice ■ show that the total number of ; visitors and tourists has increased • at an even greater rate. Since • IM7, the figures for all visitor* , have trebled—to 76,000 last year • —while the number of visiting ‘ businessmen had risen IM per . cent *