N.Z. Tourism Efforts Debated

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32050, 26 July 1969, Page 17

N.Z. Tourism Efforts Debated

Ltt.Z. Preu Auociation) WELLINGTON, July 25.

Better co - ordination of New Zealand’s diplomatic, trade and tourist representation overseas was demanded in Parliament by a senior Labour member. Mr A. J. Faulkner (Roskill).

Mr Faulkner was commenting on a reported call by the recently retired Ambassador to West Germany (Dr R. A. Lochore) for greater tourist promotion in Bonn. Dr Lochore also made a reported claim—today described by the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) as inaccurate and nonsensical —that New Zealand could mutiply its receipts from German tourists 10 times in six months, merely by appointing a German-speaking

travel clerk. Mr Faulkner said it was time New Zealanders at all levels got off their seats and started talking about New Zealand to the people of other

countries. Tourism was one export product that could climb over any of the protective barriers the E.E.C. cared to erect. The Government would spare no expense to lobby in Washington. “Why not in Europe, too?” said Mr Faulkner. The External Affairs Department, the Overseas Trade Division and the Tourist and Publicity Department had too little co-ordination overseas. Someone must take the res-

ponsibility of co-ordinat them, he said.

Mr Holyoake looked at his watch and said that a West German Cabinet Minister was due at Wellington Airport within the hour—“as a result of our lobbying in Germany.” Dr Lochore’s statement, as reported, contained major inaccuracies and was “exaggerated and unattainable,” Mr Holyoake said.

It was not correct to say that New Zealand was not promoting tourism in Germany. The Government’s official agent in Europe frequently worked in Germany

and advertisements depicting New Zealand hunting, fishing and other attractions had appeared regularly m German sporting magazines. Air New Zealand had a Dutch-born New Zealander, who spoke fluent German, stationed in Germany, but in Frankfurt, a lively tourist centre. not in Bonn. “I don’t rule out the question of appointing a permanent tourist officer on the Continent, and the matter of tourist promotion in Germany is being kept under review, but so far we have decided the time is not right to appoint a man to Bonn,” said Mr Holyoake. Continuing to debate a motion from Mr Faulkner which called on the Government to heed Dr Lochore’s claims, Mr J. A. Walding (Lab., Palmerston North) said the tourist market in Germany was worth investigating. Another aspect of tourism which needed attention was the provision in New Zealand of accommodation that New Zealanders could afford to patronise. Mr Walding said that overseas trade was too important

to be a part-time job. The present Minister, Mr Marshall, was responsible for a second portfolio and also held the position of Deputy Prime Minister.

Sir Leslie Munro (Nat, Waipa) said that West Germans primarily travelled in Western Europe. Those who travelled to Australia did so because of the considerable German population there.

New Zealand had. to move within its means. The greatest tourist potential was in the United States, Australia and Japan and that was why tourist promotion was being concentrated there. The number of West Germans travelling to New Zealand had increased from 384 in 1963-64, to 720 in 1967-68, said Sir Leslie Munro. Mr R. J. Tizard (Lab., Pakuranga) accepted Sir Leslie Munro’s statement that

statistics showed that more than 70 per cent of German tourists travelled in Western Europe. But the remaining percentage, he said, was very substantial and it would be worth while to attract part of it to New Zealand.

Speaking of his own recent visit to the German Federal Republic, Mr Tizard said Germans hardly knew that New Zealand existed. “We must go after the new generation and cannot rely on contacts made 25 years ago. Until we get up and go after tourist business in Germany we are not going to get it,” he said. Mr G. A. Walsh (Nat., Tauranga) said Mr Faulkner’s call for German-speaking staff in Bonn was covered by the employment of bi-lingual Germans at the New Zealand Embassy and by the recruitment for Bonn of New Zealand students who spoke German.