Tourist revenue rises 1000p.c.

Press, 20 September 1978, Page 20

Tourist revenue rises 1000p.c.

PA Ashburton Revenue from tourism has increased more than 1000 per cent over the last 10 years, according to Mr R. L. G. Talbot, of the Government caucus committee on tourism.

He was replaying to criticism made by the Oppo« sition spokesman on tourism, Mr N. J. Kirk, that the Government had legislated and negotiated against the tourist industry. Mr Talbot said assertions that the travel industry had been burdened with a SI4M a year travel tax was an attempt at making ‘‘short-term political capital.”

If the Labour Party became the government it

would introduce an overseas exchange tax which would cost New Zealand S4OOM a year and have a “shattering effect” on the tourist industry, said Mr Talbot. He criticised remarks from Mr Kirk that the Government had negotiated with international airlines to keep empty beds in the South Island empty, and that tourists were sick of being herded into a crowded Auckland. None of Mr Kirk’s comments about the tourist industry could be substan* tiated, he said.

To say that the South Island was being run down was a “complete exaggeration” erf the facts and the,situation, Mr Talbot said.