TOURIST TRAFFIC

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 148, 26 June 1933, Page 10

TOURIST TRAFFIC

UNITED ACTION URGED

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

PUBLICITY ABROAD

The necessity for a combined effort on the "part of NewI«Zealand and Australia in the matter of encouraging tourist traffic from abroad was stressed by Mr. A. H. O'Connor, representative in America and Canada for the Australian National Travel Association, in an interview with a "Post" representative today on his arrival by, the Maunganui from San Francisco. Mr. O'Connor said that he had been in America for the past three years, and lie was returning; to Australia partly on a holiday visit and partly to discuss with the board of directors of the Australian National Travel Association the question of future policy. During the past three years, he said, he had travelled in practically every State in America and all over Canada, endeavouring to secure publicity for Australia. In addition to talks to clubs and over the air, and arranging for the American Press to be supplied with weekly releases of Australian news, he had conducted an annual r.dvertising campaign in national magazines. The advertising had resulted in many thousads of inquiries regarding tours. Many of the inquiries were from people who were considering settling in Australia. AMERICA'S TRIALS. Mr. O'Coiinor said that tho extent of the depression in America was not realised in New Zealand and Australia. There were not many countries in the world that had had a worse time than the United States during the past two years. The depression of business anxl public spirit, was at its lowest ebb at the time of the Presidential • elections, but the advent of Roosevelt caused an amazing uplift in public feeling. During this year confidence had returned to a degree he had not thought possible. This was something that no other President had been able to achieve. Roosevelt had the good fortune to have Tl winning smile, a ready tongue, and an attractive voice. He was1 an excellent speaker over the air, extraordinarily popular, and he was heard by wireless in nearly every home. Confidence had returned to the people, and a definite business uplift was apparent, and this uplift'would result in a resumption of tourist busines,s. The desire on the part of the Americans to travel had been dammed up for three years, but now the dam was beginning to burst. There were still a largo number of rich Americans, and these people were starting out to travel, and he felt sure that New Zealand and Australia would reap a substantial benefit. Everybody who had visited the South Seas, Australia, and New Zealand were filled with enthusiasm' over what they had seen. • ■ A COMMON INTEREST. Mr, O'Connor said that practically since tho beginning of his stay in the United States he had recognised the advisability of united action on the' part of New Zealand and Australia to attract tourists. There was a common interest in that respect, and practically every. American tourist wanted to see the two countries. Miss Bathie Stuart was doing splendid publicity work for New Zeaand. During his stay in New Zealand, said Mr. O'Coiinor, he proposed to discuss the question of united action with the representatives of tourists' interests in the Dominion. Every mail contained, inquiries from prospective tourists about Now Zealand's attractions. There was a great deal of ignorance concerning the Dominion; on'o man had recently written to him asking what the automobile road was like between Auckland and Sydney, and another had asked if Australia was recovering from tho earthquake in Napier. HOSPITABLE PEOPLE. "I have never in all my life experience in the various parts of tho world found such friendly and hospitable people as tho Americans," remarked Mr. O'Connor. "I think they are the most maligned race in the world-, and this is due to the fact that their own Press gives publicity to the worst features of American life. One has only to live there for a little time to realise that while there are bad elements the vast majority are decent, hospitable, and pro-British. They have a great admiration for Britain; the anti-British element is very small. I have seen no_ Bigns of that element, but I believe it" does exist."

Mr. O.Connor said that he had made an interesting experiment before leaving the United States. He had made six radio programmes, and had had them electrically recorded, jand these records were to be broadcast from most of the principal radio stations in America and Canada. He hoped to get a minimum of one thousand broadcasts. The records dealt with the South-Seas and Australia, and also touched upon New Zealand. He believed they would be the most effective means of. publicity yet undertaken.