TOURIST PLANS

Evening Star, Issue 25770, 17 April 1946, Page 5

TOURIST PLANS

SITUATION REVIEWED OPTIMISM FOR THE FUTURE STATEMENT BY MR L J. SCHMITT In response to inquiries made by the Dnnedin Chamber of Commerce, a review of'the position relating to the development of the tourist industry Was received at the meeting of the council of the chamber last evening from the general manager of the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts (Mr L. J. Schmitt). It was pointed out by Mr Schmitt that the problems associated with shipping and air transport for passengers were, as far as he could ascertain, being gradually, but very surely, solved, and he believed that the air services would probably be ready before the shipping services. The department bad kept in close touch with all overseas air and sea transport developments, and it had in recent months met a number of representatives who had paid business visits to New Zealand to discuss the subject. The writer was satisfied that all were pushing ahead as far as circumstances would permit. • DIFFICULTIES IN HOTEL INDUSTRY. In reply to the chamber's question concerning the plans of the department for the Otago' district, Mr Schmitt referred to the great difficulties which faced the hotel industry in respect to staffing. He assured the chamber that his department—which had no hotels in convenient localities where labour preferred to live, but rather in the back country where staff soon tired of the surroundings—was not in any happier position than privately-owned hotels in the city. They were struggling through, however, and were making provision for more tourists all the time, continued Mr Schmitt. The department had plans for the building of an accommodation house at Queenstown, but this might not be put into effect for some time, especially while returned men were wanting houses. TRANSPORT FOR TOURISTS. In reference to the suggestion of the chamber for improved tourist transport arrangements in Otago, Mr Schmitt pointed out that a service had been arranged up the Eglinton Valley, and the Cascade Creek camp had been reopened. A new launch service had been provided at Lake Te Anau, and the department had given every encouragement to private enterprise, assisting two returned soldiers in the establishment of the service. It must bef realised that tyres and petrol had to be reckoned with when dealing with transport. Mr Schmitt did not think there was any necessity to provide much publicity within the Dominion at present, as most of the resorts, hotels, and transport facilities were filled to capacity all the time. The department had an overseas publicity campaign prepared for the time when services would he available. Preliminary work had already been carried out in London, America. Canada, and Australia." Mr Schmitt assured the chamber that everv possible tour which could be-made through the chamber's territory was beint" and would continue to be. offered bv the department's bureaux throughout the Dominion and overseas to those who wished to visit Otago. TWO SERIOUS PROBLEMS. The two most serious problems with which the department was concerned were: (1) Expansion and improvement of hotel accommodation in the main centres and tourist resorts (here again hotel owners would say they were awaiting the findings of the Licensing Commission before they acted) ; and (2) the problem of the shortage of suitably-trained staff. Notwithstanding all these difficulties the department's turnover within New Zealand had been greater this year than ever before, so that, despite all their worries, they were still optimistic.