TOURIST TRAFFIC

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21967, 26 November 1934, Page 10

TOURIST TRAFFIC

VISITORS FROM AMERICA THIS SEASON'S" PROSPECTS MARKED INCREASE EXPECTED Tho tourist attractions of Now Zealand are receiving considerable attention by reputable offices in Canada and tho United States and Mr. J. W. Collins, New Zealand Trade Commissioner in Canada, who returned by the Aorangi last night, is confident there will be a considerable increase in the number of visitors coming to the Dominion. Mr. Collins said he .had given much attention to fostering the tourist trade. There had been considerable recessions in the traffic from the North American continent during the last four years, but it was now beyond question that the coming season in New Zealand would show a large gain. The competition in the United States from other tourist countries was very intensive, and the fares, covering all inclusive costs over definite periods, had been so low that heavy losses had been sustained by the transport companies concerned. Attractive tours by luxury liners were quoted at low rates, ranging from seven to ten dollars a day, and even at these quotations payable bookings had been hard to obtain. During the last 15 months, howover, there had been a decided change for the better, railway and steamer travel having greatly improved. Mexico, Hawaii and Bermuda had splendid seasons during 1934, said Mr. Collins, and the travel across the Atlantic, particularly to the United Kingdom, showed a marked increase. The New Zealand office at Toronto had contracted during the last four years with the leading travel agencies in all the larger cities of the United States and Canada and placed the supply of publicity material on a better and more regular basis, had trained officers as to the planning of itineraries, and given details as to time and cost involved.

Organised and persistent efforts were being made by _ reputable officers throughout America and Canada to divert attention to the attractions of New Zealand. Large appropriations for advertising had been allocated by the shipping companies concerned, and as a result of this Mr. Collins was confident that, compared with last year's figures, the traffic to the Dominion would be more than doubled this season. There was reason to be most optimistic as to the future outlook, Mr. Collins said. He expressed the view that, after the last few years of depression and uncertainty, the time had now arrived to give greater publicity to New Zealand in North America and to expand representation by opening an office on the Pacific Coast for the fostering of commerce and tourist traffic.