Pilots arrange tour accommodation

Press, 24 June 1985, Page 4

Pilots arrange tour accommodation

PA Auckland An Air New Zealand pilot and a South African Airways pilot have launched a private accommodation scheme in South Africa for All Black tour supporters. They have circulated a list of more than 400 families willing to billet New Zealanders in all areas where matches will be played. Among them is the daughter of the South African Rugby Board president, Dr Danie Craven, Mrs Joan Roux, of Stellenbosch. The pilots have also arranged discounts of up to 50 per cent for visiting New Zealanders at rental car firms, souvenir shops, and for hiring campers.

A South African Airwavs Boeing 747 captain, Mr Ron Whytock, told the “Auckland Star” from Johannesburg that he had organised the scheme “to help the Kiwis who have stuck up for rugbj' over the years.” “My Air New Zealand friend and I started the plan by talking to people we know here and it just took off.

“The newspapers and radio got hold of it and I have had to use staff to handle the telephone calls offering accommodation and hospitality. “I feel I am doing my little bit to get contact going between our two countries,” Mr Whytock said. He said the exercise had

cost him about $6OO but that did not concern him.

He said he could give no guarantee about the language, colour, or politics of New Zealanders’ hosts.

“We want you to come here, and enjoy our rugby and our hospitality,” he said. The Air New Zealand pilot, who did not want to’ be named for fear of

reprisals from Hart, said the plan was ideal for lowbudget visitors. “It is a long way and very expensive to get there,” he said, “and staying in private homes will cut costs. “Ron and I have been friends since the 1976 tour and we came up with this idea because we love our rugby and want to see it kept going,” he said.