Cancelled bookings likely for Games

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32578, 12 April 1971, Page 12

Cancelled bookings likely for Games

The shortage of accom- i medation in Christchurch ( for the 1974 Common- ' wealth Games might not i be as serious as many per- i sons anticipate. This is the opinion of Mr ; G. W. Blaxali, president of 1 the New Zealand Metropoli- '• tan Trotting Club, which acted as host for the InterDominion Championship series, held in February at Addington Raceway. “My club found that six months or even longer before the meeting started it was impossible to obtain a bed in or near Christchurch," said Mr Blaxali; tour operators had made bulk bookings of hotels and motels. “Then, only weeks before they were due to arrive, huge parties had been cancelled, leaving a surprisingly large number of beds available. Had we been advised earlier of cancellations, I am sure several hundred more Australian visitors would have attended Addington Raceway.” He felt confident there ‘ would be accommodation, already booked in anticipation : of tours being arranged; re- ' suiting in cancellations within ! a few weeks of the Games 11 starting, said Mr Blaxali. I There were more than 2000 Australian visitors in

Christchurch for the InterDominion series, said Mr Blaxali, but it was impossible to obtain an accurate figure as the club did not deal personally with all visitors. In addition there had been parties from the United States and Canada, and from Europe.