Tourist Staff "Do Not Know N.Z.”

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30737, 29 April 1965, Page 20

Tourist Staff "Do Not Know N.Z.”

Too many overseas inquiries at the Tourist and Publicity Department were dealt with by junior staff who “did not know New Zealand,” said Mr P. M. Mac Shane, when the Canterbury Progress League met last evening.

The Tourist Department should get its staff “more geographically minded.” he said. The citing of eases of overseas visitors not being well informed about South Island attractions, and subsequently complaining about it through the newspapers, had led to discussion on the Tourist Department’s work. Most contacts the public had in the Government Tourist Bureaus were with junior staff, said Mr MacShane. If they were asked about bookings for a journey to Kaitaia or Kaikohe they asked: “Where’s that?” Overseas inquirers, especially, should be dealt with by more senior staff who “knew New Zealand.” “I think this is well worth while spending some money on the Tourist Department,” said Mr Mac Shane. “They could well have someone in the Auckland office who knows New Zealand perfectly, and someone in Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.” “I don’t think we should slam the Government Tourist Department alone,” said Mr A. L. Burk. “ I had some experience with private tourist agencies—a lot of these people have got brochures and read from them, and don’t know a thing more than is in them.” A voice: They don’t even know that.

Mr Burk agreed that tourist staff should be sent round New Zealand—“let them find out visually what is going on.” he said. “That is better than all the brochures.” “Getting a book, and reading you timetables, and blah blah doesn’t get you anywhere,” he said. Mr H. E. Radley said that tourist staff were willing, able and courteous people but they lacked knowledge of places because agencies did not send sufficient of their staff round New Zealand and overseas.

Mr Burk said he had "studiously refrained” from mentioning the names of private

agencies. but he had “one in particular” in mind. Mr Mac Shane: We should ask what is being done to train sufficient senior staff to advise people on a basis of personal experience of New Zealand. It was decided that the secretary, Mr C. N. Todd, approach the manager of the Government Tourist Bureau in Christchurch for discussions, before framing a letter to the Tourist and Publicity Department’s head office. Canterbury Booklet There was no “splash advertising” in the promotional 64-page colour booklet, “Canterbury, New Zealand’’— which lifted it above the level of a commercial publication, members were informed. From 10,000 to 20,000 copies are being printed and distributed throughout the world to trade commissioners, chambers of commerce, embassies, libraries, universities and publicity departments. A publications committee, consisting of Messrs G. R. Burrowes, P. F. Maples, V. R. Claude, B. A. Jones, and C. N. Todd, was appointed in connexion with the booklet. It promotes all aspects of commerce, fanning, manufacturing. tourism, educational and cultural facilities, living conditions, and climate.