TOURIST PROSPECTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21277, 2 September 1932, Page 12

TOURIST PROSPECTS

INDICATIONS FOR SUMMER REVIVAL ANTICIPATED MORE AMERICANS EXPECTED VISIT OF LUXURY LINERS An yet it is somewhat early for any accurate estimate to be formed of the extent of the tourist traffic to New Zealand during the coming summer, but in some quarters it is held that the start of a very considerable revival is likely. For this belief, the continuation of publicity work and the entry of new commercial interests into the tourist traffic to New Zealand aro held to bo mainly responsible. " New Zealand's chief hopes, as far as this summer's tourist traffic is concerned, aro centred in Australia and the United States," an officer of the Tourist Department said yesterday. " Conditions appear to be improving definitely in Australia, and there is a possibility that during the coming summer many Australians may feel justified in giving themselves a holiday overseas. Most of them will not feel inclined to travel too far abroad, and there is a very fair chanco that New Zealand may secure the main volume of the traffic, especially as the Tourist Department is in tlio position to offer very advantageous terms to Australian visitors.

New Shipping Interests " Eveu allowing for tho prevailing economic depression in tho United States, there is every prospect of an increased number of American tourists visiting New Zealand tins year. From our point of view, the introduction of new shipping interests is responsible for this. We have beeu doing publicity work in the United States for a considerable period, but during tho past year it has been backed up by an extensive private advertising campaign. " Americans are showing a very keen interest in New Zealand, and a point that is likely to appeal to them is that a holiday in the Dominion need not bo too costly. It is too early yet to expect many advance bookings, as January, February and March are tho best tourist months of the year, but wo are confident that the coming summer will witness the start of an increased tourist traffic from the United States."

Two luxury liners will visit New Zealand in February in the course of Pacific cruises. The new Matson liner Lurline, sister-ship to tbo Monterey and Mariposa, will arrive at Auckland from San Francisco, via the Pacific Islands, on February 34, and will sail again on February 16 for Australia and the Orient. On the next day the Cunard liner Carinthia will arrive at Auckland and will also visit Wellington before sailing for Australia, the Far East and South America. During the • stay of both liners in New Zealand waters, special excursions to the thermal regions and other scenic resorts of the North Island will be arranged for passengers. Deep-Sea Fishing It is nob likely that many new tourist attractions will be provided in New Zealand during the coming summer. Proposals to provide modern tourist accommodation at '' c Bay of Islands and at Waikaremoana have had to be shelved, owing to the need for Government economies, but it is anticipated that, the deepsea fishing will again attract, a largo number of visitors to the North. It is expected that the programme of improvements to the Blue Baths at Botorua will be completed before the start of this tourist season proper, and the new adult baths, when completed, are expected to prove highly popular. With regard to tho winter holiday seaeon, officers of the Tourist Department are extremely gratified at the patronage that has been accorded tho Chateau Tongariro. The prevalence of sunny days has made the National Park an ideal holiday resort for > the greater part of the winter, and there have-been occasions on which intending visitors have had to be turned away from the Chateau owing to shortage of accommodation.