Mr Shand Deplores Criticism Of N.Z. Hotels

Press, Volume C, Issue 29487, 13 April 1961, Page 12

Mr Shand Deplores Criticism Of N.Z. Hotels

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, April 12. Criticism of the standard of New Zealand hotels by some New Zealanders travelling abroad was deplored by the Minister in charge of Tourist and Health Resorts (Mr Shand) today. Commenting on reports received from Tourist Department officers overseas, Mr Shand said there were instances of potential tourists cancelling bookings, or being reluctant to make them, because of this criticism. “In a recent case brought to ipy notice an English family decided to cancel an extensive tour after such a discussion. They were persuaded not to do so and after the tour was over expressed complete satisfaction with the hotels,” he said. “This decrying of New Zealand hotels is damaging to our prestige abroad and is not supported by tourists’ comments. “A recent department survey showed that over 85 per cent, of tourists were satisfied with their hotels. The general reaction was that they were better than expected. What complaints there were dealt mainly with lack of central heating, restricted meal hours and stereotyped food. “There is plenty of room for hotel improvement,” Mr Shand said. “The Tourist Department and the licensed trade are well aware of that. The general standard, however, does not justify the derogatory remarks some New

Zealanders are apt to make. ' “In many of our small i towns the hotels are as good, ; or better than, in towns of i similar size in Australia, Eng- , land or the United States. "The licenced trade is spending more than £1 mil- • lion a year on construction and renovations.” ' Since the recent amend- ■ ment to the Licensing Act a i la carte menus and more ex- : tended dining hours have • been introduced at a number of leading hotels. : “The staff recruitment i scheme conducted in Ausi tralia by the licensed trade i in co-operation with the ■ Tourist Department, brought • more than 300 girls to New I Zealand. Without these girls ! staff shortages would have caused some hotels to refuse ' guests over the recent holi- > day period. s “The problems facing the

hotel industry do not apply only to New Zealand,” Mr Shand said. “The shortage ol skilled chefs and dining room staff is world-wide and applies even in Switzerland. Shortage of accommodation in major resorts at peak periods occurs everywhere. The fact that the solution of these and other problems is difficult and slow does not mean that we do not recognise them or that nothing is being done. “New Zealanders abroad who run down our hotels are doing the country a disservice and undermining the tourist department’s efforts to increase our tourist earnings. I agree there is scope for improvement, but to decry our hotels to the extent of dissuading potential tourists is unjustified, harmful, and not representative of the true position.”