Holiday Seasons

Press, Volume C, Issue 29435, 10 February 1961, Page 12

Holiday Seasons

Some of the statements of Mr G. L. Barker, of Lower Hutt, on the effect of an accommodation shortage on New Zealand’s tourist business have been challenged. However, no-one has denied his central point that better use could be made of existing hotels and motels, by New Zealanders as well as by tourists, if holidays were spread through the year. Some large organisations, including Government departments, do try to arrange staff leave evenly, while meeting as far as possible the reasonable requests of their employees for holidays at special times. However, for commercial convenience as much as to meet staff preference, many businesses choose to close down at the peak period. The commercial advantages are not without accompanying drawbacks to managements, such as tendencies

to absenteeism and the changing of jobs. The advantages to staffs of the set holiday period are more illusory, because not only hotel accommodation but also holiday cottages are rushed. In addition, roads are clogged and public transport crowded. The result often is frustration for a person or family seeking a brief change of scene. Employers and unions would be wise to consider how far they could co-operate in arranging a better spread of holidays. The proprietors of holiday accommodation could help by developing the increasing practice of reducing their charges for the less popular seasons with the compensation of increased patronage. The first fortnight of January is a good time for a holiday, especially for the map with children at school; but it is not the only good time of the year.