THE TOURIST SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19607, 8 April 1927, Page 13

THE TOURIST SEASON.

GOOD YEAR EXPERIENCED. VISITORS FROM OVERSEAS. AN INCREASE IN NUMBERS. ACCOMMODATION CRITICISED. The returns of the Auckland office of the Tourist Department for the 1926-27 season are expected to compare most favourably with the returns of the previous season, according to Mr. J. W. Clarke, the local manager. He stated yesterday that while there had been a falling off in local traffic, the large increase in the numbers of visitors from overseas, which had been a feature of the season, would probably make up for any decrease in the revenue in other directions The best and busiest months of tho department are October,, November, December, January, February and March, with an extra rush during January and February. The exhibition at Dunedin accounted' for large numbers of New Zealand people travelling during the 192526 season, so that a falling off this year was expected. "It is gratifying to note that the overseas traffic is increasing," Mr. Clarke Baid. "In my opinion it will go on increasing every .year now. The Dominion cannot help itself in this respect. The country is replete with scenic and other interests for the visitor from overseas." A Timely Warning. The department ha& received the usual complaint's from overseas visitors regarding tho poor accommodation to bo had on many of the tourist routes, and these complaints are likely to continue until things are greatly improved. In order to obviate surprised annoyance and inconvenience it has been the policy of Mr. Clarke to warn tourists of what they are likely to expect in the various places. "If you do not warn them they naturally expect first-class accommodation," statefl Mr. Clarke. "By telling them, I think you smooth things down and complaints are not so numerous." The experience of Mr. Clarke has been that the good impressions gained of the Dominion by the great majority of overseas tourists far outweigh any bad impressions caused through inferior accommodation. " When they look back on their tour they forget all the deficiencies and foremost in their minds are the memories of delightful days spent in beautiful natural environment, or enjoying tho fishing or shooting/' he said. "The great majority of them go away satisfied and with the intention of someday returning to these shores." Invasion From Australia. Mr. Clarke predicts a still further increase in overseas traffic next season provided New Zealand is left from any industrial troubles, epidemics," etc.—factors which have an important bearing on the tourist traffic. Quite a feature oi the traffic from overseas this season has been the abnormal invasion from Australia, not taking into account the delegates to the medical conference at Dunedin and the tour of New South Wales bowlers. In past years this branch of the traffic has been practically "killed" through shipping strikes and other industrial troubles. This year, happily, both countries were free from this sort of thing, and hundreds of Australians spent a few weeks touring the Dominion. A large number of New Zealanders spent ttfeir holidays in Australia. Another season has passed and the various resorts have not changed their place in the order of favour, except, perhaps, the Wanganui River, which has proved unusually popular. This •. trip would prove still more popular, however, if the river-boat accommodation were improved. Regarding this, several complaints have been received. Rotorua has proved as popular as ever, while Wairakei is now included in the majority of tours. The Waitomo Caves have been popular and more people have visited them this season on account of special excursion trips arranged by the Railways and Tourist Departments. Many Auckland people, have visited the South Island and such resorts as Mount Cook and Queenstown. Question o! Publicity. Overseas visitors still complain that they are unable to get sufficient information concerning the Dominion in overseas countries. This defect, however, will, it is hoped, soon be overcome. The Government Publicity Office is now producing hundreds of interesting pamphlets, the majority of which are very attractive and do New Zealand credit. These are being distributed overseas. The latest publication, " New Zealand —Paradise of the Pacific," is a beautiful and artistic production. Printed on art paper, several coloured pictures and paintings of New Zealand scenery are vividly depicted. Overseas people urge that these pamphlets should find their way into the right places. One visitor yesterday suggested that they should be placed in the reading rooms of steamers in all parts of the world and in prominent clubs in the different countries.