CASH VALUE OF TOURISM

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 April 1929, Page 9

CASH VALUE OF TOURISM

FRENCH CALCULATIONS.

The value in hard cash to a country of a famous beauty spot dr natural feature is illustrated in. the report just issued of the French National Tourist Office by the case of Mont Blanc. A. rough census, taken in the year before tijie war showed that 1,025,000 foreign fourists visited during the course of the twelve irionths the neighbourhood of that great mountain. Supposing on a moderate estimate, says the report, that each of these foreign tourists spent a paltry £2 — : for his night’s lodging and for souvenirs—that wonld mean a revenue to France of over £ 2,000,000 per annum from Mont Blanc alone. Similar calculatioris niight fie made for Avignon. Carcassonne, and the other historic cities of the Midi and Languedoc, each of which has an enormous revenue-drawing power from the national point of view.Moreover, as some 2,000,000 foreign tourists come to France every year, the total revenue figures are such as to . make, it is urged, “tourism” a principal Frerich national industry—and : particularly an importing industry. .As an importing industry, the report points out, “tourism” differs from all others in two respects. Firstly, the imports have not to be balanced by any exports; they are pure gain. Secondly, the “capital,” so" to speak—the nature! glories of the country, its monuments, and historical sights—are eternal, unexportable,' and iriimeasurable. Of all industries, “tourism” is therefore th© most privileged. In conclusion, the report of the National Council (which is a Government-or-ganised body) declares that for this privileged industry a certain expendi turo is nevertheless necessary to serve as. working capital; for example, the improvement of transit facilities and the preservation at the national expense of historical buildings and famous views. Among the recommendations urged upon the Government bthe development of a system of national credits for th’e hotel industry.