WEALTH IS TOURISTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20424, 28 November 1929, Page 8

WEALTH IS TOURISTS.

DOMINION'S ATTRACTIONS.

CHARM OF INDIVIDUALITY.

HAWAIIAN VISITOR'S VIEWS.. Appreciation of New Zealand's scenic attractions and praise for the aceommodatirin offered by the hotels and for the advance that is being made in the development/ of tourist traffic were expressed hy Mr. George T. Armitage, of the Hawaii Tourist Bureau, in addressing members of the Auckland Advertising Club at a special luncheon yesterday. Mr. G. 0. Cod] in presided and in introducing Mr. Armitage mentioned that, ho was previously secretary of the Honolulu Advertising Club, which was the father of the movement in the Pacific.

, Mr. Armitage said that he was revisiting Auckland after a lapso of six years. Auckland had become more liko some of the American cities than other places in Ne\y Zealand, no doubt because it was closer, but he hoped that it would not become too much so as one of the attractions this country had for Americans was its individuality. There was a great similarity between Hawaii and New Zealand, and this was most marked in the language of the native people since by the interchange of "t" with "k" and "1" with "r," the same words were produced in both tongues. For instance, "Waitomo" in Maori became "Waikomo". in Hawaiian. Co-ordination In Advertising. One of the objects of Mr. Armitage's visit was to effect co-operation between his bureau and the tourist and publicity organisation of this country in spending more money in the Dominion in advertising Hawaii's attractions. Ho hoped that this would bo accompanied by a more active campaign by New Zealand in Hawaii.

" No other country to my knowledge has as many attractions and facilities for tourists as New Zealand," Mr. Armitage said. When here on the last occasion he was quite satisfied with the accommodation offered by the hotels, but since then conditions had become even better. " Be careful not to imitate America too closely," he advised. "Be yourselves and take advantage of the little services and characteristics which are not to be found in America. Americans will not criticise and 'make fun of them. They appeal to us and give us something to take away and talk about." While in the South Istand Mr. Armitage visited Mount Cook and, in describing the trip, said that he had never enjoyed a trip in any part of the Pacific so much. The good roads and the excellent accommodation at the Hermitage were astounding even to one who knew more about New Zealand conditions than many Americans who visited the Dominion. Later he visited the wonderful new chateau at Tongariro National Park, which wa3 further proof that New Zealand was getting into line and providing accommodation good enough for anyone. Tourists as Profitable " Crop." After praising the development work of the railways and the tourist bureaux, Mr. Armitage remarked that if New Zealand could find the ways and means to tell more of the unique attractions she possessed it would benefit the country a great deal. Since the war Americans had travelled immensely. Last year 500,000 went abroad and 3,000,000 went into Canada. Those tourists spent £160,000,000 in other countries and brought nothing back except the good—or bad—impressions that ' they received. To day they were looking for new places and New Zealand was one of the places they should know about. Once they came here they would return year after year. In Hawaii, where the staple industries were the production of pineapples and sugar, tourists were regarded as the third crop, which was worth £2,000,000 a year to the country. Some considered that the tourist business was not ethical, but it was just as helpful to national prosperity as the wool, meat, or any other industry. A vote of thanks was accorded to the speaker, on the motion of Sir George Fowlds.