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(ii) PUBLICITY WITHIN NEW ZEALAND Publications The production of tourist publications continued and the Department now possesses a wide range of useful material essential to its particular purposes. An objective aimed for and very largely attained has been the complete coverage of all natural attractions and sporting opportunities within New Zealand. Considerable attention has been given to well-illustrated information calculated to be of practical use to visitors and to touring residents and the reception of the various pieces has been most encouraging. It ■can be said with truth that no locality of tourist significance or having any claim to attention has been overlooked, and an analysis of the contents of the-various publications .already in distribution, in production, and of the amplified " loose-leaf " itinerary sheets being completed for reintroduction in the near future will disclose that every such place, of major tourist interest, has been effectively " catalogued." During the year a series of eighteen leaflets dealing comprehensively with all tourist attractions, and commenced some time ago, was completed. In the meantime, it was found necessary to produce reprints of several, and a second impression of eight pieces in the series is also in hand. A series of twenty information sheets is in production and will cover all major resorts and attractions. A second reprint of the five sheets first produced was run off and two subjects added to the series. A colour folder for use in North America has been passed to the Government Printer. Another more elaborate piece has been planned and a range of natural colour pictures for illustrating the contents is being assembled. The Department collaborated with Tasman Empire Airways, Ltd., in the production ■of a handsome brochure for distribution on trans-Tasman aircraft. Advertising A newspaper advertising campaign of limited proportions was undertaken during the year for specific objects such as the selling of " Package Tours " and the publicizing •of party tours, Government tourist hotel facilities, and the like. Advertising space was also availed of in various journals and publications for special purposes. MAINTENANCE OF HOTELS, RESORTS, AND RESERVES UNDER THE DEPARTMENT'S CONTROL (i) HOTELS, ETC. There has been a marked increase in turnover at the resort hotels controlled by the Department. The total revenue received by the nine Tourist Department hotels was £306,000 as compared with £196,000 for the previous year. A large portion of this increase was received at the Chateau and Wairakei Hotels which are now in full operation. With the increases in tariffs and in the number of tourists visiting tourist resorts, a further advance in turnover during the year 1950-51 is expected. The New Zealand National Tourist Conference recommended that action be taken to improve and extend accommodation at all Government hotels. The Department recognizes that departmental hotels form most important links in the chain of tourist .services in New Zealand and that any major expansion in the tourist trade is dependent largely on the accommodation available at these hotels. With this end in view, the Department has immediate plans for increasing accommodation at Te Anau, Milford, 'The Hermitage, and Franz Josef. Under the Licensing Amendment Act, 1948, tourist-house licences have been .approved for the Chateau Tongariro and Hotel Waitomo. The licences will, no doubt, be issued as soon as necessary structural alterations, at present under way, to provide lounge bars at these hotels are completed.

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