TOURIST TRAFFIC

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11783, 20 March 1924, Page 6

TOURIST TRAFFIC

TO MOUKT COOK “GOVERNMENT’S VALUABLE CO-OPERATION.’’ AN INTERESTING INTERVIEW. Interviewed by a representative of the “Times/' Air R. L. Wigiey, managing director of tile Mount Cook Motor Co. Ltd., lessees of the famous “Hermitage’’ at Mount Cook, gave 6ome interesting information regarding the development of the Southern Alps as a national health resort and holiday area. “We have, of course,” said Mr Wigley, “spent large sums of money in telling the public, both here and 'n Australia, of the incomparable attractions of Mount Cook. We have inaugurated a series of winter carnivals which have established a popular win-ter-sports season at the ‘Hermitage.’ The result of this advertising has been a constantly increasing influx of visitors all of whom are unanimous that for scenic grandeur and sporting possibilities, the alpine surrounds of the •Hermitage’ are absolutely without rival in any part of the world. “The success of the ‘Hermitage’ under the now regime has led to an amount of discussion on the relative efficiency of Government control .nu ,«rivate enterprise. It Js unfair V, take the ‘Hermitage’ as a basis for argument in such matters. Whatever achievements are the direct result of personal endeavour and a sound advertising policy, it must not be over•ooked that the co-operation of tho Government Tourist Bureau, to say nothing of the considerate services rendered from time to time by the Hon. W. Nosworthy, Minister for Tourist and Health Resorts, have given that final impetus to our activities — activities which have enabled us tb sucoeed beyond our original anticipations. The Government Tourist Bur ecu has proved a most valuable institution so far as Mount Cook is concerned. It has supplemented the efforts of the Mount Oook Motor Company to , make the journey to the ‘Hermitage’ easy to arrange and surprisingly economical. I consider that Government co-operation with private enterprise, as instanced in the conduct of the Mount Oook Hermitage, is a practical solution to the question of noliday-resort exploitation. An effort is being made to increase accommodation and introduoe electric power at the ‘Hermitage,’ and it is hoped that the Minister concerned, realising that the assisting hand of Government has enabled a private enterprise to develop and popularise a national asset, wifi take such steps as will lead on to a still brighter future for one of the most powerful magnets of tourist traffic.”