American Tourists’ Main Complaints

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31187, 11 October 1966, Page 8

American Tourists’ Main Complaints

(New Zealand Press Association! AUCKLAND. October 10. Two major complaints of American tourists returning from New Zealand were that they could not find anything to spend their money on, and that souvenirs had no particular attraction, said the New Zealand Travel Commissioner in San Francisco, Mr N. F. Gouffe.

“I think New Zealand may have relied for too long on its magnificent scenery to attract tourists,” said Mr Gouffe in Auckland. Mr Gouffe is in New Zealand for a fortnight to confer with tourist industry representatives in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. He will

I later discuss plans for “Desj tination South Pacific." a North American tourist promotion scheme, with Australian, Fijian and New Zealand tourist representatives. “More than pure scenery had to be offered to the tourist,” said Mr Gouffe. “Souvenirs could offer much that was specifically New Zealand in flavour. But too often they were of bad design and construction.” The New Zealand tourist industry, which attracted 12 per cent more American tourists last year than in 1964, was in a very healthy position because of its rate of growth. “But if we can hit the right people with our American publicity the rate of tourist intake in New Zealand could double in the next five years, ’ he said.