TOURIST TRAFFIC

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 254, 24 September 1935, Page 3

TOURIST TRAFFIC

AN IMPROVEMENT RECORDED

A marked improvement in tourist traffic is recorded in the annual re-

port ol the Department of Tourist and Health Re-sorts and Publicity, XStabled in tile House of Representatives. The report, which deals with activities during the year ended March 131 last, says this improvement must be acknowledged as representing a recovery from the low figures or the years of economic depression, there were indications that a further distinct improvement in volume of traffic might be expected in the coming season. Reports from various sources supported this view. “One of the pleasing features of the past season,” says, the report “was the satisfactory maintenance of business until the late months of autumn, and even during recent winter months overseas business has been distinctly beuer than in past years. “The outstanding importance of Australia as a source of traffic to the Dominion was ngain demonstrated in

1934-35, and was made especially prominent by the visits of five large cruise ships carrying, in the main, Australian visitors. These ships, which, unfortunately, were able to visit only North Island ports, carried approximately 4500 passengers, a large proportion of whom were aide to spend a few days in overland trips from Auckland to Wellington “Traffic from the United Kingdom in the past season showed distinct improvement, influenced, no doubt, by favourable exchange-rates, and special shipping facilities and fares. Business from the United States while not representing as yet a large proportion of New Zealand’s total tourist business. has also improved considerably in the past year, and with improving economic conditions in North America the prospects for the coming year appear to be distinctly good. This view is strongly endorsed by American transport and travel interests.” The revenue of the department during the year was £75,034, an increase of £10,557 over that of the previous year, and the expenditure, including the overseas publicity branch, was £lO3 028, as against £91,571 for the previous year.