TOURIST FACILITIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3875, 19 June 1928, Page 17

TOURIST FACILITIES.

THE CLAIMS OF NEW ZEALAND. SWISS TRAVELLER’S USEFUL ADVICE. AUCKLAND, Jun 8 14. “In many parts of Europe New Zealand is known as one of the most beautiful countries in the world, but it is probable that a great majority of the people do not know of the existence of your Dominion. Some, who know vaguely, perhaps, could not say whether it is in Turkey, or if it" is a part of the British Empire.” This remark was made bv Mr Jacques E. Chable, a prominent Swiss journalist, who is now visting New Zealand in the course of a tour of many countries. The statement was in reply to a question whether the experience of Switzerland suggested that New Zealand should develop to the fullest possible extent the tourist traffic between older countries and the Dominion.

“In my opinion,” said Mr Chable, ‘‘it is highly desirable for New Zealand to encourage tourists from Europe, America, and other parts of the world. The first reason is that the tourist traffic will provide a much greater income for the railways, hotels, and shopkeepeis, and the second is that it will give people in other parts of the world a much fuller knowedge of your country.” While he did not suppose that great numbers of people would come to see New .Zealand alone. Mr Chable expressed the belief that in the course of time people with leisure and money would form the practice of including New Zealand in tours of Japan, China, and other countries around the Pacific basin. The visitor added that if the Dominion desired to become a favourite country for tourists the authorities would be well advised to make things smooth for them. While not complaining about the enforcement of the laws of the land, he mentioned that on arrival by the Tofua a few days ago he was caught at a temporary disadvantage in having to hand over a deposit of £lO before being allowed to come ashore.

“ It happened,” Mr Chable explained, “ that I was carrying only £9 in cash, and that until I came ashore and saw to my banking arrangements I was unable to. complete the deposit. The purser kindly came to my aid, and I got through. We have seen in Switzerland

how small things influence the first impressions of visitors to our country, and 1 feel that New Zealand would be wise to make the entry of tourists as pleasant as possible.”