TOURIST TRAVEL

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 107, 2 November 1933, Page 12

TOURIST TRAVEL

THE NEW SEASON

MOVEMENT BEGINNING

The first,of the new season's tourists have already arrived in the Dominion. The Rangitiki, which reached here last week, brought the largest passenger list of any vessel arriving from Great Britain since last summer. Among these were quite a number of tourists. Two more passenger liners from Horne —the Rotorua and Akaroa—are di\o next week. .The Rotorua has 151 passengers,- and is a full ship. The Akaroa also has a good passenger list. The first port of call of both vessels is Auckland. From now on the movement of passengers to New Zealand should be large, and hopes are held out that the tour«t season will be a highly suecessfnl one. Indications at present are that as many tourists will be visiting the Dominion this spring and summer as last year, and probably more. "' ' The number of passengers crossing the Tasman has also been increasing of late. Last week the Wanganella brought Over-200 for Wellington, and last Monday the Maunganui, on a trip to San Francisco, left nearly 160 passenger's here. Outward lists have been large too) on October 6 the Marama took 197 passengers, and on October 17 the Maunganui took 172. Last Thursday the Wanganella left with 20(3 travellers on board., This last.list was the largest that had crossed the Tasman from Wellington for many months. TRAVELLING HOMEWARD. The English winter will bo getting into its stride shortly, and this, will deter tourists from visiting Britain until the worst is over. Shipping companies report many inquiries by every mail in connection with bookings on liners due to arrive during the English spring and summer. Literature on the attractions in Great Britain and on the Continent is being freely sought, indicating that tourist travel from New Zealand- to the northern hemisphere may be heavy next season. It is reported, however, that passengers are deferring booking until later than usual in view of the possibility of the exchange rate being reduced. Travellers are naturally not keen _to lose about a quarter of their money before they start. The companies concerned are still optimistic, however, and believe that bookings willbe very good for next season. A large proportion of tho pcoplo coming to this country are patronising the first and tourist classes. The tourist class especially is in strong demand. The Rangitane, which is due at Wellington on November 22 from London, is bringing over 200 passengers, many of whom are travelling touriet. Of course bookings, either out to New Zealand or Home from New Zealand, are not as good as they were some years ago, when they were made even as far as a year ahead) and it was with the utmost difficulty that a passage could be secured at anything under a month's notice. In those days passenger lists of between 400 and 500 were of regular occurrence during the travel season.