Possibilities Seen For T.E.A.L. In Asia

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30602, 19 November 1964, Page 18

Possibilities Seen For T.E.A.L. In Asia

Air-freighting of perishable goods into South-east Asia held great potential for Tasman Empire Airways, Ltd., when the airline began its service into this area in 1966, said the district manager of T.E.A.L. (Mr A. T. Gillmore) in Christchurch yesterday. In addition, he considered air freight of the type of goods which the recent trade mission (of which he was a member) had been endeavouring to sell, could also be handled by the airline. This could develop into an important aspect of T.E.A.L.’s business into the area. T.E.A.L. has carried quite a considerable amount of perishable goods over the last year or two. Mr Gillmore said that in restaurants and hotels wherever the trade mission stopped choice cuts of New Zealand meat were available. “And they were in excellent condition too,” he added. Mr Gillmore considered tourist traffic would be a natural development from trade and commerce with South-east Asia. On the tour, he said, it was one of his jobs to make contacts with airline operators and travel agents to discuss air travel to the Dominion. There was considerable

publicity on and about New Zealand in the main centres which the trade mission visited, said Mr Gillmore. But, he added, more was needed and he indicated that both T.E.A.L. and the Government Tourist Department would consider supplying greater quantities. A more comprehensive range of entertainment had to be provided in the Dominion if it was to develop a worth-while tourist exchange with South-east Asia, he said. Mr Gillmore said that in the development of tourism from South-east Asia to New Zealand, the Dominion was competing with Tokyo and Hong Kong. The Chinese in particular turned to these places. As a characteristic of the race, it often followed that trade was coupled wtih holidays, he said.