LESS SEA TRAVEL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 149, 26 June 1931, Page 11

LESS SEA TRAVEL

NEW ZEALAND TRAFFIC ADVERSE TIMES REFLECTED PROSPECTIVE TOURIST SEASON. A marked decrease in the number ot passengers being carried by the shipping of the world is evident us a result ot the general depression. The passenger services to and from New Zealand are not exempt from these conditions. Il was stated by an official of a shipping company that., compared with last year, the outward traffic from the Dominion this year had declined by at least 25 per cent. Tho view was expressed that, al though a thorough analysis of the figures was necessary to give an accurate reflection of the position, it was obvious in a general way that less money was being spent on sea travel as upon everything else. While at certain periods the decrease in outward traffic might be considerably more or less than 25 per cent., that figure could be quoted with safety at present. Bookings from Dunedin. The position is indicated also in the bookings through tourist agencies. The heaviest outward bookings .from New Zealand occur from February to May, as people who travel for pleasure endeavour as a rule to leave New Zealand before tho winter commences. This year the number of passengers so book ed showed a definite decrease when compared with last year, although the number of bookings was greater than anticipated. The present is a period of the year when fewer bookings to Europe and America are expected, but business in that direction is unusually quiet. Special winter tours also are lacking patrons, whereas formerly a comparatively brisk business was done. Popular winter tours were those to Java and Bali, Queensland, the Pacific Islands and Japan, but this wijiter people are not spending their money in this way. It has been a general experience that many people whose means are still ample enough to permit them to travel ■ for pleasure prefer to spend less upon ! their physical comfort. Whereas it was their custom always to travel first-class by boat and to stop at only the best hotels, they now prefer to travel secondclass and to stay at less expensive establishments. Stimulating Tourist Trade. While the reason for inward tourist I rattle to New Zealand is still some way ahead, tho forward bookings so far are not encouraging. Ample time remains, however, and hopes are entertained that there will be an all-round improvement in conditions with a corresponding increase in the demand for tourist accommodation. It is felt in some quarters that more Americans will visit New Zealand with the advent next month of the service by the Matson Lino of steamers. At the end of the year the steamer Malolo also will call again at I New Zealand in the course of a pleaj sure cruise. Added efforts are being made overseas by the Government Tourist Department in an endeavour to stimulate tourist traffic. Special detailed itineraries for tours in New Zealand have been mapped out and these have been circulated among all the overseas shipping ami tourist agencies. Formerly such detailed information was obtainable only from the department’s agents and a few other sources, but now it has boon circulated among all organisations concerned with this lino of business, and it is hoped that beneficial results will be evident in the coming season. The itineraries for those tours are complete in the smallest particular, giving dates and times of arrival and departure, information concerning the places named and the inclusive cost to the tourist. The clerks in tho overseas agencies will be able to supply detailed particulars to prospective clients and thus, it is hoped, divert to New Zealand some of the tourists who, lacking such information, and not; having dej cided upon their destination, would make up their minds to go elsewhere