INADEQUATE AND MISLEADING

Evening Star, Issue 22274, 27 February 1936, Page 13

INADEQUATE AND MISLEADING

DOMINION'S TOURIST INFORMATION VISITOR COMPLAINS OF INEFFICIENCY “ Whether it is because they are not supplied with the information wanted by tourists or cannot be bothered dispensing it, the tourist offices in New Zealand are not at all efficient, and often what information they do supply is inadequate and misleading-” This statement was made to a ‘ Star ’ reporter to-day by a man, who has visited most parts of the world, always seeking out new tourist resorts, and he regrets the fact, as he considers New Zealand among the finest countries he has seen. “Knowing what I know now, I would prefer to make the South Island my headquarters on any future tour, for here, with the possible exception of the Waitomo Caves, one finds all_ the best scenic gems,” added the visitor. “But the tourist people "told me nothing of this. If the private tourist enterprises of England and the Continent were as reticent as the Government offices here they would be bankrupt in no time.” He explained that he was told he could not visit the Franz Josef Glacier from Greymouth, yet he had been able to do this, and would have been sorry had be missed seeing it because of the authorities’ misleading information. On Monday Mount Cook emerged from the clouds for the first time in 13 days, and the tourist was eager to do some climbing, but new snow prevented the ascent planned by him and a friend. He hopes he may revisit Mount Cook, which greatly impressed him, but not to the same extent as the magnificence of Milford Sound. He described this as one of Nature’s greatest masterpieces, since it dwarfs one to insignificance and makes one realise the might and grandeur of its Maker. “ A luxury for a country whose Budget is only about 25 millions ” was the visitor’s opinion of the Te Anau-Mil-ford road. He doubted if the Homer funnel could be penetrated for less than two million, and observed that a toll on motorists would not have to be too expensive or the trip would be ignored by holidaymakers, who would eventually repay the country for providing access to its most beautiful treasure, so long as the fee was moderate. “It will be a great attraction for motorists, who now consider Eglinton Valley an admirable holiday tour,” he said. “ The best scenery has yet to be unfolded for them, as they drive the last stage from the tunnel to the sound.”