“Accommodation Lack Hinders Tourism”

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31223, 22 November 1966, Page 18

“Accommodation Lack Hinders Tourism”

Development of the tourist industry in New Zealand is hindered by a lack of hotel accommodation in the resorts and the main centres, in the opinion of Mr G. S. Moffat, of Melbourne.

Mr Moffat, a past president of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents, arrived in Christchurch yesterday on his way to address the annual meeting of the New Zealand Travel Agents’ Association at Wairakei. Mr Moffat said there was a general growth in the tourist traffic between Australia and New Zealand. Each year there was a meeting among tour operators to arrange traffic for the next 12 months. “I doubt if they are all entirely satisfied.” He said Australia was well placed for accommodation. When Qantas opened the Wentworth Hotel in Sydney at Christmas there would be

another 1000 beds. New Zealand would have to improve its image and provide more facilities. There was not only a shortage of hotels, but some of the coaches and hire-cars were not up to world standard either.

Mr Moffat said he was the chairman of the Institute of Travel opened in Australia this year. The institute had 40 pupils this year and would have 100 next year and he hoped its diploma course would become mandatory for all those employed by travel 'agents. “New Zealand will eventually form its own institute,” he said. “Modern travel arrangements demand that staff have higher educational standards.” A founder of A.F.T.A., Mr Moffat is the managing director of a firm of Melbourne travel agents.