Bid To Get South African Tourists

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31440, 5 August 1967, Page 1

Bid To Get South African Tourists

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 4. New Zealand might benefit by an additional $150,000 a year in foreign exchange as the result of a “promote New Zealand” mission to South Africa, its leader, Mr J. E. Hartstonge, said today.

Mr Hartstonge, who is director of the Tourist Division of the Tourist and Publicity Department, returned on Wednesday after a two-week visit to the republic. He was accompanied by the general manager of the Tourist Hotel Corporation (Mr E. C. Colbeck). With two associates, Mr Hartstonge travelled about

3000 miles, left nearly half a ton of publicity material with travel agents and others, gave radio and newspaper interviews, and held travel seminars in the major cities. Although a Government tourist office in South Africa had not previously been warranted, recently-introduced cheap air rates and a jet service to Australia were such important factors that a promotional campaign was considered vital, he said. Last year 800 South Africans visited New Zealand. This did not include those who spent a few days while on board ship.

“This was quite a creditable number, but we hope to get another 500 in the year 1968-69. If this happens, and they are here for, say, three weeks, it will mean about $150,000 in foreign exchange additional to what we are getting now,” he said.