CATERING FOR TOURISTS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 105, 6 May 1927, Page 6

CATERING FOR TOURISTS

Tho tourist conference and the subsequent interview with Ministers marked a definite advance in 1 110l l 0 pru partition of n better nnd bigger schomo for exploiting tho Dominion's attractions. There was evident a' clearer appreciation of two vital points: (1) Hint private interests which will share handsomely in the 'profit should bo prepared to contribute to tho cost; (2) that tho attraction of tourists is only half of tho business—tho other half is making satisfactory provision for them. Hitherto there has boon too much of a disposition to cast tho whole burdon of publicity upon tho Government, and even to seek a shnro of control in publicity and tourist management, without supporting that claim by sharing tho expense Tho conference hold out hopes of a contribution. When tho parties concornod nro abio to mako definite proposals thoy will have a much stronger case for participation in tho iminagoment. Tho othor point— accommodation—wiib plainly stated by the Prime Minislor, who pointed to tho ijl-effcets to bo expected if tho Dominion, by oxtensivu publicity, brought tourists horo and wus unable to provide for thotn. Mombers of the conforenco admitted this diflicitlty. it j s not ono which tho Government can remove. There must be co-operation by private enterprise. A unified body interested lii the tourist trade may do much to help by Indicating whero additional or botter provision is mna |, needed.

There was evident a' clearer appreciation of two vitul points: (1) that privnlo interests which will shiuo handsomely in the 'profit should bo piepared to contribute to tho cost; (2) that the attraction of tourists is only half of tho business—tlio other half is making satisfactory provision for them. Hitherto thei'o hub boon too much of ,-i disposition to cast tho whole Imrdon of publicity upon tho Government, and even to Beck a slinro of con-