FRANCE AND TOURISTS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXX, Issue LXXX, 31 January 1920, Page 3

FRANCE AND TOURISTS

BIG INFLOW EXPECTED. The Paris correspondent of an 'Vinerican journal states: American tourists are being urged by the Uov-ernment to come to France. Hundreds, ot thousanas of them, possxoiy a million, are expected to brine here millions of dollars that will help to rebuild Jjj»nce. Aside from the idea ot cementing the two nations' friendship tnrougii letter acquaintance the tounst movement is regarded by those interested as a great new business enterprise, immediately and immensely profitable, and one that will <nw In cidentally, it is said, the coming of Americans \who can afford European travel at its present cost vil> am in the various forms of foreign financial aid France is seeking. A Government department called the -National Ofhce of Touring was established- recently to engineer a publicity campaign for foreign visitors and to supervise service bureaus to make travtv. pleasant and to prevent overcharging. An official corporation supported by railroads, hotels, travel agencies and others who profit by touring has been organised. It is the French TourinoCompany. Through it agents are bein* newt- to the United States and else" where Americans will be offered trench railroad tickets, travel programmes, and simiar information. Newspapers have not been enthusiastic over the plan. The Excelsior said 'the public fears the economic disturbances their coming might cause," referring to the proposed visit of the much-talked-of 'million Americans.' " It explains that "everything is already beyond reach in price, and there is no room at the hotels. What wil conditions be when it becomes necessary to lodge and feed these new guests, who do not look at the cost of things:" To remedy such conditions, the Governmental agency suggests that when heavy travej begins in April conditions trill be more nearly norm a/.. A definite plan to reserve rooms for coming tourists has been started already. All hotels in France, numbering about 25,000, have been asked to submit their rates and to pfedge therrselves not to charge more in the case of the Govern-ment-eonduc-ted travellers. The lodging difficulties and the high cost of everything are recognised by all, but it is believed a great flood of travel vyil/. come in spite of the cost. The Government's aim is to see that travellers are not charged more than the information agencies estimate. \od that they are given benefit of advice and aid in making the.v stay in Fru ice entertaining.