Tourist Numbers In Europe Envied

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31205, 1 November 1966, Page 18

Tourist Numbers In Europe Envied

“Tremendous envy” of the numbers of tourists travelling in Europe is felt by Mr W. A. Pickford, district manager of the Government Tourist Department in Christchurch. He returned recently from a three-month tour of the United States, Britain and the Continent.

“At one place I counted 40 buses awaiting the return of sightseers from excursions. There were long lines of buses waiting outside St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. “Inside the Schonnebrun Palace in Vienna, which is a huge building, I could scarcely move for the crowds,” said Mr Pickford.

“Although I was envious of the financial returns to these countries, I could not but feel thankful that in New Zealand one can still travel in comparative peace and quiet, and be remote from the milling hordes. Even with the most successful promotions it would be a long time before the tourist traffic in this country had such crowds.” Mr Pickford was impressed by the absence of house flies

and the efficiency of garbage disposal on his tour. “My wife and I counted only 13 houseflies in three months,” he said. “Just think of New Zealand. “In New York, instead of a weekly garbage collection as we have in Christchurch, they collect kitchen refuse two or three times a week, garden refuse twice a week, and junk from around the house once a week. lam not suggesting Christchurch do this, but it was an excellent idea.

“It means that garden refuse is not burnt in the backyard to produce a smoke pall from countless small fires throughout the city.” He considered that New Zealand, within the scope of the finances available, was well up with tourist arrangements overseas.