TOURIST TRAFFIC

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25940, 5 September 1945, Page 6

TOURIST TRAFFIC

BRIGHT PROSPECTS DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTHERN RESORTS (F.0.P.R.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 4. “The prospects for a great expansion in the tourist industry of New Zealand are brighter than ever before in the history of this country, mainly because of the speedy and comfortable air travel which brings the Dominion within a few days of the great populations of the world,” states the annual report of the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts and Publicity which was tabled in the House of Representatives to-day. “ The potential capacity of New Zealand to participate in the international tourist field is considered to rank very highly,” adds the report. “It is significant that during the past year innumerable inquiries have been received and dealt with in the head office of the department with reference to tourist travel in New Zealand in the immediate post-war period. Inquiries from America

“ Some of these inquiries emanate from North America, and it therefore follows that the presence here of large bodies o[ the Allied forces has niade many aspects of this Dominion better known abroad. Conversely, the New Zealand forces overseas have been responsible for a great deal, of interest being created in the Dominion m other parts of the world. There are very strong indications that as soon as the means of international civilian communication are reinstated there will be an influx of visitors from overseas. “ There are already unmistakable signs that a great development in every branch of travel—air, land and seamay be anticipated early in the postwar period. It is well known that transport organisations everywhere have already been preparing blue prints for the passenger services of to-morrow and it is safe to assume that in the very near future there will be a substantial trend towards better forms of passenger travel than were available in the pre-war years.” Referring to the Milford Track, which has been closed since the start of the war, the report states that a great deal of repair and maintenance work will be involved in restoring the track, hut and Glade House before this tourist route is reopened for traffic. None of the work, however, is of an urgent nature at the present time and it has therefore been decided to defer restoration until the season before which it is proposed to reopen the track. The unavoidable deterioration through avalanches and floods is not regarded as irreparable. Access to Milford The Hotel Milford has been maintained in good orjder and although access during the year had been restricted to a large extent, a few visitors made the journey via the Homer tunnel. Owing to man-power difficulties no improvements could be carried out, but everything has been maintained in first-class condition.

“When the Eglinton Valley road is completed, huge traffic to this scenic wonderland is expected,” the report states.

Certain sites have been investigated at Stewart Island with the idea of purchase for the development of additional holiday accommodation. The provision of additional tourist accommodation by the department at Queenstown has also been under consideration.