TOURIST TRAVEL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23648, 4 November 1938, Page 5

TOURIST TRAVEL

SOUTH ISLANDS ASSOCIATION INCREASE IN STRENGTH NOTED SECOND ANNUAL REPORT “ The end of the second financial year finds the organisation with increased strength in membership and in finance,” states the annual report to be presented to the annual conference of the'South Islands Travel Association in Christchurch to-day. “A pleasing feature,” the report adds, "has been a marked development in the keen desire of the provinces to co-operate enthusiastically in the association. In past efforts provincial interests appeared to work against a South Island organisation of this kind, but this has been eliminated in the present case, and it is felt that in the future the expansion of the South Island purpose will bring about such a concentration of effort that this association will provide virtually the sole channel of publicity of this character. Centennial Exhibition The report further states, inter alia; — “ Considering that it was desirable to ensure that the South Island tourist attractions should be given special publicity to induce travel to the South Island during the Exhibition, the ex-' ecutive endorsed proposals involving the establishment of a South Island Travel Bureau in the South Islands section of the provincial building at the Exhibition. Various provincial exhibition committees were acquainted with the project. The matter was discussed with the general manager of the Tourist Department by the director and the general manager,'while enthusiastic about the idea, stated that if the association ran the South Island bureau, the Tourist Department, whose own bureau would be elsewhere, would be keen to co-operate. When the meeting was held in Wellington during September to complete the provincial arrangements. it was announced that the Tourist Department would run bureaux in both Island sections of the provincial building. “ While the association, must be gratified by the appearance of a definite South Island bureau, if that is the Intentiop, we still think that the South ■lsland must make special efforts to induce travel to the South Island during the Exhibition period, and that this can best be done by close co-operation and a pooling of effort. , South Tasman Service . “ The director was a member of deputations to the Union Steam Ship Company, and to the Prime; Minister (Mr Savage) in Wellington to press for the extension of the MelboUrne-South Island steamer service to an all-year time table. Although this" extension will require a subsidy similar to that granted before the depression, it is felt that the all-year service will contribute to the development of a winter tourist traffic which will be of great benefit to the South Island and the whole Dominion, particularly as an aid to the expansion of accommodation at tourist resorts. “ The Prime Minister was sympathetic and declared firmly that he regarded the all-year service as an economic necessity for the whole Dominion. He said that he had not altered the opinion he expressed in 1934 that the service should be maintained all the year, adding it was not a matter of whether the Government would assist in bringing this about, but what was the best way of achieving this objective. “It was pleasing to note that the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, the Wellington Harbour Board and the Wellington City Council joined the deputation in urging the claims of this service. . Hotel Accommodation “ The executive gave attention to the problems of hotel accommodation as they affect the tourist traffic, and decided that changes in the licensing legislation to bring the law into closer relation with modern needs were necessary. < These views were pressed on the Prime Minister, who promised to give the association’s findings earnest consideration, “The association was active In pressing for an improvement to the night train connecting Invercargill and Christchurch. It is considered that a special train should be designed so that the maximum of comfort can be afforded passengers. The railway authorities were sympathetic to the proposals put before them, and promised to consider them in the new building programme. Statistics Required “An effort was made to secure statistical information concerning the incidence of overseas travel in the South Island, but the results were not satisfactory, due tc the inadequacy of the records kept. It would be of assistance to this association if tourist units compiled this statistical information, which would enable us to see where and how the distribution on the overseas business can be improved. , Future Plans A report on future plans includes the following points:— 1. Increase co-operation between tourist interests, so that they may “feed" each other. 2. Through regional guides increase the publicity to all regions, 3. Assume closer control of ‘Discovery ” and the guides and to increase circulation. 4. Development of further publications of service to tourists. 5. Publicity in the North Island and encouragement of travel by the South Tasman service, with continued agitation tor the all-year service between Melbourne and the South Island 6. Press further for a review of the licensing law to bring conditions into Closer sympathy with modern needs. 7. Press for the elimination of wharfage,charges on motor cars, or their reduction to uniformity over the whole Dominion. 8. Support any proposal to facilitate travel across Cook Strait. 9. Where possible, encourage the increase of winter traffic. 10. Urge that increased aid be given to the development of Stewart Island as a tourist resort. . 11. Secure improvements in night train services and road surfaces. 12. Prosecute further the plan of disseminating information concerning the South Island among overseas travel agencies. 13. Photographic service. 14. Ensure that the tourist claims of the South Island are adequately publicised at the Exhibition. 15. Develop great co-operation between provinces and a larger measure of concentration of effort to make the campaign more effective and less costly. 16. Seek tourist cruise ships for the South Island, especially when the motor road to Milford is completed. 17. To urge on the Government the necessity of developing the policy of “See the South Island First’ as a means of extending the time overseas visitors spend in the Dominion. 18. Develop still further our activities as a clearing house for all regional and sectional publicity Accommodation In his report the director (Mr J. J. W Pollard) makes the following comment, inter alia:—“From time to time reference is made, particularly by visitors from North America, to the lack of central heating, Central heating and air-conditioning, especially in winter, are eminently desirable, but it is unwise to over-emphasise its importance Travel in New Zealand is cheaper than it is in most tourist countries, and our hotel tariffs, even on the highest scale, are lower than those demanded bv first class hotels in other countries. Of great importance is the provision of adequate bathing facilities, especially the supply of private bathrooms, the maintenance of courtesy and the provision of good meals. Courtesy and attention are more than enough to overcome shortcomings in other directions, and without these qualities central

heating is not sufficient. It is, therefore, disturbing to receive some complaints from Britain about a fallingoff in courtesy. It has been pointed out that servility is not desired, but that ordinary courtesy is essential. All who are in the industry will find that their interests are served best by the satisfied client. If we are not eager to satisfy the client it is best to abandon the tourist business utterly.”