‘More tourist hotels needed’

Press, 2 April 1979, Page 2

‘More tourist hotels needed’

Atlantic and Pacific i Travel, Ltd, believed that a I rapid and extensive building! of hotels and motels was needed urgently in all the gateways and resort areas of New Zealand if the country was to realise potential earnings from tourism, said the chairman of Atlantic and Pacific Travel, Ltd (Mr R. F. Hayes) at a luncheon held | by the company at the; Christchurch Town Hall. The difficulties of new hotels in Christchurch in I recent years illustrated the; risks and long-term nature: of such developments. It was essential that the Gov-! ernment provided incentives' to compensate and attract! the necessary financial investment. he said. Such action would ultim-| a rely ensure increased for'-j eign exchange earnings and. provide continuing local ‘ employment. As a city, Christchurch; had been considerably more'

enlightened than northern cities. “The early provision of adequate airport facilities, the excellent Queen Elizabeth Il Park, and the superb convention facilities offered by the Town Hall are striking evidence of this enlightenment,” Mr Hayes said. The facilities offered by Christchurch and an existing hotel surplus were already attracting additional tourists as was apparent when only two dates in September, normally off-season, were available for a South Pacific Travel Mart. “The prosperity of Christchurch must still rely on the development of the other attractions of the South Island and of the less forwardthinking off-shore islands, to the North,” Mr Hayes said. Atlanctic and Pacific: Travel is 50 per cent-ownedi by Dalgety New Zealand,! Ltd, and 25 per cent owned! by Midland Coachlines, Ltd, ! and Shaw Savill, Ltd.