TOURIST TRADE

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1937, Page 2

TOURIST TRADE

HOTEL. ACCOMMODATION.

DUNEDIN, August 1L

An inquiry by the Government into tlie (‘Hoot, on hotel accommodation of now legislation lias been urged by the South Islands Travel Association. At the last executive meeting of the association in Dunedin, the effects ot hotel accommodation on the tourist trade were discussed at length, and a statement has now been issued of the association’s views on the possibility of legislation restricting the activities of hotels catering for tourists to the Dominion.

The statement said that a report submitted to the meeting stated that many of the hotels which were properly discharging the duty of providing accommodation for travellers were hampered by restrictive legislation which -did not impose any difficulties on those hotels whose interest was centred exclusively in the bar trade. Some hotels could provide nothing more than the minimum accommodation required by the present legislation, and ;v tually were not seeking boarders. Therefore, they were not fulfilling their obligations as hotels. The solution of the problem bv the increase of licences in the cities was considered and the redistribution of licences, particularly to (“liable tourist resorts to he licensed was approved. The executive’s resolution finally was that the 'Governmerit should be requested, before undertaking any redistribution of licences or any treatment of the problem, to institute an inquiry into the whole question of hotel accommodation, to see the effect of the legislation now in operation oil the proper functioning of hotels and to ensure that all hotels discharge their proner duties in catering for the travelling public.

Greater flexibility in the control of

I transport was also .urged at the niect- \ iug, the statement adds. It was de- | cicled to bring to the notice of the . j Transport Department the grave dangers the association considered might result from rigidity of control, especially where it militated against the use of motor transport for round trips by tourists.