DOMINION’S TOURIST BUSINESS.

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 3 November 1933, Page 4

DOMINION’S TOURIST BUSINESS.

The annual report of the New Zealand Tourist Department shows that the volume of tourist traffic from overseas during the .past year again fell appreciably short of the level of a few years ago, and “local” travel business was particularly poor. A compensating feature for the decline in traffic from the United States was an improvement in the number of Australian visitors, while the number of those from the United Kingdom was up to the average. The tone of the Department’s report is generally hopeful. Distinct prospects are held out of an improvement of the tourist traffic in the coming season, particularly in respect of business with America. Apparently the Americans are again disposed' to move abroad freely, and, judged by report of the trend of their inquiries, a good many of them are looking towards the South Pacific.. As much as possible is evidently being done, within the limits of a reasonable expenditure, to make' the attractions of this country known elsewhere. For the rest, the growth of the reputation and popularity of New Zealand as a tourist resort must depend upon he manner in which* the Dominion caters for the tourist, and upon its own intrinsic recommendations as a country worth visiting. In a recent interview, Arr Lincoln Ellsworth, the well-known explorer, offered some interesting observations which should be useful, not only to the Department, but to hotel owners and others directly interested in the .tourist trade. With more heat in its buildings, and with better organisation, he suggested, this country could considerably increase its attractions for tourists. The modern tourist has been a good deal spoiled by countries which do everything possible to contribute to his creature comforts, and as New Zealand wants tourists, and has a strong competition to face in this matter, she must take the tourist as she finds him—not. as she would perhaps like to find him—and must spare no exertion to satisfy his wants.