AMERICAN TOURISTS

Grey River Argus, 1 February 1944, Page 3

AMERICAN TOURISTS

Previously known to many Ameii cans by name only, New Zealand seemed to have surpassed the expectations of visiting American sei vicemen, according to the Minister m Charge of the Tourist and Public y ( Department (Hon. W. . L. Quoting visiting Servicemen, Ml. Parry said the best advertising boost | in America that New Zealand hasever had for its attractions has cornel from the men of the Forces. These men had spoken with enthusiasm of’ the Dominion’s natural scenic beauties, and of the unlimited opportunities they had found for varied wild life sport, which to them had many unusual features. . I “Their parents, relatives and i friends will be keen, servicemen: have said, to see the country where, their boys were located for some time,” Mr Parry added. “One man, " hose laudatory description of New Zealand and all it possessed would i delight any audience, affirmed that after Japan had paid the price for Pearl Harbour, in the States it will ■ be ‘let’s skedaddle to the Pacific, 1 Austrafia and New Zealand.’ ” i The Minister said that plans had been prepared to meet an anticipated heavy influx of post-war tourists.. “There is much preparatory work to l be done.” Mr. Parry stated, ‘‘and New Zealand must be ready properly and effectively to receive, .accommodate and transport this expected increased tourist traffic.” The traffic to the tourist resorts during the holiday period in December and January had eclipsed all records for several years, said the Minister. Rotorua, Waikaremoana, and Queenstown were the resorts strongly favoured. A large rush of people to the Chateau Tongariro would have taken place had it been possible to .reopen the place.