‘Urgent Need’ For More Hotel Beds In S.I.

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31234, 5 December 1966, Page 18

‘Urgent Need’ For More Hotel Beds In S.I.

The lack of hotel beds at resorts throughout the South Island was “the biggest single factor governing the economy of the New Zeeland tourist industry,” said the sales manager of Mount Cook Airlines (Mr E. G. Beckett) in a statement He said that although Auckland hotel and tourist interests were well advanced with their accommodation planning the South Island might miss what could be the biggest tourist bonanza to date. Mr Beckett was referring to the effect jumbo jets would have on tourist traffic in the 19705. “ Auckland would gain be-

tween 1300 and 1500 firstclass hotel beds in the next 15 months. Mr Beckett said he believed that to keep the accommodation pattern balanced, between 800 and 1000 new beds should be built in the South Island for every 1000 new beds provided in Auckland. He considered the secret of success might be greater coordination in future planning. Unless realistic planning was done now for more beds, resort areas in the South Island would run the risk of being left behind. Mr Beckett said the Tourist Hotel Corporation was aware of the problem but its actions were restricted by the Treasury.