THE TOURIST TRAFFIC

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160740, 28 August 1920, Page 8

THE TOURIST TRAFFIC

NEXT SEASON’S PEOSPECTS. DEARTH OF ACCOMMODATION. With accommodation in every centre throughout New Zealand growing scarcer every day, it would appear as though matters were likely to reach a climax when the next tourist season is well under way. At present Rotorua is probably one of the very few towns where there is a fair prospect of securing accommodation, as its popm iation is largely a floating one, nut there is no doubt that as soon as summer is well entered upon the prevailing condition of overcrowding will overtake Rotorua also. Mr C. Wallnutt, officer in charge ct the Auckland Tourist Bureau, stated recently that although the volume of tourist traffic had grown enormously since the close of the war, and was likely to keep on growing, no extra accommodation had been provided anywhere in New 'Zealand. “”?ae Mt. Egmont hostels, the Hermitage at Mt. Cook, and other places were totally inadequate to meet the demand for accommodation; inquiries were constantly being received as to the possibilities of a stay at Ruapehu, but the information that there was only very limited accommodation for a few campers, who had to provide all their own food and outfit, naturally resulted in Ruapehu being listed as desirable, but impossible. One of the main difficulties was likely to he with regard to visitors making a tour of the Dominion, and staying at the principal centres. Boardinghousekeepers in Auckland were already turning away peaple every day, and the position was the same elsewhere. This phase of tourist traffic was clearly evidenced last Christmas, continued Mr Wallnutt. when numerous requests to secure accommodation were received at the Bureau from people who, in the old days, would have done this for themselves. Over a thousand telegrams were sent out during the busy season between Christmas and New Year, which added very greatly to the work of the Department. In fact, the work had never really “let up” right through the year, and the next season would probably be busier still. Now that shipping conditions had returned to normal every steamer from Australia and America brought a number of tourists, and, m addition. New Zealanders were still travelling very freely through the Dominion. It was mentioned by Mr Wallnutt that the Tourist Department had decided to extend the Mt. Cook season by one month, by opening the Hermitage this year in. October, instead oi 'November.