‘Packaged' Tourism Advocated

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30971, 29 January 1966, Page 1

‘Packaged' Tourism Advocated

(New Zealand Press Association) HAMILTON, January 28. New Zealand had a reputation as the only country which did not try to fleece tourists and take their last pennies, and this was the image it must foster, said Mr R. Escott-Terry, a market research worker and writer.

Mr Escott-Terry spent more than 12 of the last 18 months In the United States and investigated New Zealand’s tourist potential and image. Generally speaking, he said. New Zealand was not far behind in overseas facilities and was not holding out its hands for every penny the tourist

> brought. This was the opposite ; of the attitude of nearly every • other tourist country. i Among hundreds of tourists he had interviewed the over- , all impression was that New Zealanders were hospitable, ( generous and kind, he said. “This confirms the image . New Zealanders take abroad

with them and we must maintain it if we are to be different from other countries. “Everybody should be conscious of this whether directly connected with tourism or not.” Mr Escott-Terry said that in the United States a person could travel on a bus for up to 99 days for only about £35. Some sort of reciprocal scheme was needed here. “Fewer and fewer rich Americans and more and more of average income will be visiting us as jets get bigger and faster. “These, incidentally, are the nicest type of American and are almost unknown here, but

happen to be predominant in the United States. Do we really think they would want to stay in multi-million pound hotels? No. They would much prefer our motor camps. “Let’s offer our American friends a package deal, with over-all charges including air fare and accommodation, and offer ad lib travel within the country.” He said an American who had been in New Zealand had remarked: “I couldn’t care whether the waiters in New Zealand hotels know which side to serve the soup or not. I couldn’t care because they are such kind and courteous people.”