NEW SERVICE FOR HOTEL BOOKINGS

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31407, 28 June 1967, Page 5

NEW SERVICE FOR HOTEL BOOKINGS

A national hotel accommodation booking service was launched in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch on Monday by a group known as Associated Hotels of New Zealand, Reservations Services.

The new booking system, an elaboration of a service begun in Christchurch, will provide a national accommodation booking system as the clearing house for 60 hotels owned and conducted by the five companies taking part. Mr N. W. Millner, one of the principals of the company, explained to a I party in Christchurch that 1 the accommodation offices ' in the three centres would be linked by telex to enable a travel agent, airlline or individual to receive

prompt confirmation of a booking. Where accommodation was not available in an association hotel, every effort would be made to find suitable alternative accommodation. Mr Milner said that the service would be completely free and travel agents would be fully protected. The service had begun as part of the programme of encouraging tourist traffic to New Zealand. In Christchurch, he said, it would be of particular value. The city was a transit stop for tourists wanting to see South Island attractions. The new service could provide all classes of accommodation sought with a minimum of ; effort by the tourist or his (agent