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Close contact was established with New Zealand residents in New York, and as a result a New Zealand Society was formed in this city. There is no doubt that interest in New Zealand generally, and particularly in the trade and tourist fields was considerably stimulated, and the expenditure and effort well warranted. The Tourist Commissioner in Western America. The Tourist Commissioner reports : —■ Publicity. —During the year, 1,702 requests for travel information were received and were supplied with literature and information. These requests were received from every State in the forty-eight States, and also from several foreign countries. Films. — During the year films were loaned to various individuals, institutions, clubs, &c., and a total of sixty-five films were loaned for lecture purposes. In addition, lectures were personally given by members of the staff. Tour Sales and Services to Travel Agents— Owing to the war situation passenger-sales business which commenced the year very well showed immediately on the outbreak of war a dropping off both in inquiries and actual bookings. This, in the first place, was due to the state of unrest and a lack of definite information concerning the safety of travel on the Pacific and, secondly, the state of uncertainty which existed until the Neutrality Act was clarified by the United States Congress. During the year the policy was followed out of assisting travel agents to plan itineraries covering New Zealand stopovers and, apart from general suggestions, eighty-two detailed booklet itineraries covering specific periods in New Zealand were furnished. These itineraries represented travel visits of 148 persons, although the summer season was almost completely cut off. Golden Gate International Exposition. —This Exposition, which opened on 18th February, 1939, attracted its main bulk of visitors during the year under review, and the expenditure incurred in New Zealand representation was very well worthwhile. New Zealand had its own separate building, which was of distinctive design, and all our exhibits were confined to items of tourist interest. It is difficult to assess the actual number of people who visited the Pavilion, but it is safe to assume that the New Zealand Pavilion was visited by at least 2,500,000. The Exhibit itself, which, although small, was bright, attractive, and colourful, had a peaceful atmosphere, and was the subject of much pleasant comment by Americans. Tourist Prospects. —As previously mentioned, the outbreak of war totally disrupted ocean travel, but the public reaction in this direction is now becoming more normal, and the number of inquiries being received from travel agencies is increasing, and, while the volume of business likely to eventuate within the next few months will not possibly reach previous years, it is certain that a considerable amount of travel will take place from the United States to New Zealand in the next few months. The Trade and Tourist Commissioner in Europe. The Commissioner reports :— The outbreak of war in Europe has, of course, materially changed under which this office is operating. Some phases of the normal work of the office have virtually ceased, while others have grown and new activities have arisen from war conditions. Publicity. —The distribution of various types of publicity material has continued briskly throughout the year, and even since the outbreak of war, in fact, the war has brought a demand for information about the Dominion, with the result that photographs and newspaper a-rticles have been much more readily placed than in earlier years. Many Continental papers have in recent months used photographs of New Zealand subjects, and particularly those of an economic or war significance. Articles prepared in several languages and distributed by the Brussels Office have been sent out to a number of European countries, and the resultant publicity for the Dominion has been both extensive and important. Some of the articles were directly associated with the Dominion Centennial and secured special attention for that reason. Other publicity media have been the maintenance of contact with travel and shipping agencies, and the handling of tourist and publicity inquiries which come in from all parts of Europe —and even from further afield —both by mail and by personal application. The Trade and Tourist Commissioner in Australia. The Trade and Tourist Commissioner, Sydney, reports as follows As was undoubtedly the experience everywhere, the war has had a profound effect on travel business. For the first five months of the past travel year the New Zealand Government Tourist Bureau and its agency links throughout the Commonwealth were showing improved returns in comparison with similar periods of any previous year. Also tentative reservations and inquiries in anticipation of the Centennial celebrations wore exceptionally heavy, fhis was followed by a period of uncertainty and rapid cancellations, but by December, 1939, the travel flow had settled down to a greatly reduced volume, which meantime must be accepted as the normal expectation during the period of hostilities. Publicity. —A publicity skeleton organization was maintained, and both the Bureau services and the Dominion's scenic attractions are being kept continually the public s eyes. In this regard the special claims of the Dominion's Centennial celebrations were continuously

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