FEW TOURISTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24205, 25 January 1940, Page 10

FEW TOURISTS

EFFECTS OF THE WAR TRADE GREATLY REDUCED £1.000,000" LOSS ESTIMATED With travel drastically restricted by war conditions, New Zealand's tourist traffic has shrunk to a fraction of its former level. Activity usually reaches its peak in January February, and March (states the New Zealand Herald), but, so far. it has failed to materialise and, with forward bookings as conspicuously absent, it is estimated that the Dominion will suffer a loss in revenue approaching £1,000.000. Each year has seen a steady increase m the number of tourists visiting the Dominion. In 1938-39 the total reached 21,762, of whom 16,692 came from Australia. 2105 from the United Kingdom. 1705 from other British countries. 783 from the United States and 477' from other foreign countries. With the Centennial celebrations an addeo. inducement, the early bookings made by tourist agencies for visits to the Dominion this year suggested that new records would be established, but, when war broke out. the business disappeared practically overnight. Cancellation of Tours Before the outbreak of war there had been all the indications of a most successful season, stated the manager of one tourist agency. Immediately hostilities began, however, all but a few of the projected tours were promptlv cancelled and there had since been no sign of improvement in the genuine tourist traffic. About Christmas time there had been increased activity between New Zealand and Australia, but these travellers were not so much tourists as persons making comparatively short visits to homes and relatives. For some time after war began ships bound for the Dominion were well filled, but these people were mostly New Zealanders returning as soon as possible from abroad. Outgoing traffic had also been affected and very few overseas tours had been arranged.

Activity Within Dominion

" So far as holiday traffic within the Dominion is concerned, we have experienced the busiest Christmas and New Year on record," stated the principal of another agency. "But the story is entirely different when we consider the number of tourists arriving from abroad. At a time when we really want overseas traffic it is not coming. Few people in Europe regard a sea voyage as a pleasure trip under present conditions, and the increased steamship fares and the general uncertainties arising from the war have greatly reduced the number of Australians who usually visit New Zealand in the summer." An important section of the tourist traffic was represented by\ visitors from the United States, he continued. It had been hoped that the war m Europe would encourage many Americans to come to the Pacific on vacation, but this expectation had not been realised, and ships which would normally be packed with Americans travelling to New Zealand and Australia were at present far from filled. Visitors from United States "It is possible, however, that New Zealand may benefit later," he added. "Practically all the American and European bookings have been cancelled, but, when the war settles down, Americans, unable to visit Europe, may regard the Pacific as a safe and natural outlet for their immense tourist The' only noticeable increase in the volume of tourists has been recorded in the case of visitors from the East. The next ship of the Dutch South Pacific Line from Saigon carries a full complement of passengers, and at least one tourist agency has been impressed by the inquiries which have been received from British and Dutch centres in the East. Formerly, residents in these areas spent home-leave in Europe, but apparently they are now looking for holiday resorts in the the Pacific. . ,