TOURIST TRAFFIC REVENUE

Hokitika Guardian, 20 December 1927, Page 1

TOURIST TRAFFIC REVENUE

“Our national income could he increased more substantially by an increase in the number of overseas visitors than by any other method,” states the New Zealand Tourist League in its annual report. The experience of Canada, Switzerland, France and other nations confirms this. “Official figures show that in 1926 people from the United States spent over £200,000,000 in Europe and £80,000,000 in Canada. Hawaii records a large income from 15,000 visitors who stay for over 24 hours in the territory.” Exact figures of tourist expenditure in New Zealand were not available, hut on the basis of the returns of other countries, the league estimates that the Dominion received £1.000.000 a year from overseas visitors. This revenue cost less to get than any other part of the national income, and if could he increased at a low cost.

The population of New Zealand will shortly be increased by an influx of tourists. Never before lias the ilood of inquiries from overseas been so great, and those interested in the tourist traffic state with confidence that the Dominion will experience a record season. The healthy seed of publicity that is now finding its way to all corners of the earth is hearing a rich harvest. if the industrial unrest in Australia continues, it will seriously affect the large numbers expected from the Commonwealth. The belief in many quarters that the Dominion overseas tourist traffic is supported almost entirely by wealthy Americans is dispelled by recent advices received both by the Tourist Department and Tlios. Cook and Son. The English tourist firm of Pickfords, Ltd., has organised a party of English people who will reach Auckland about December 20, and will make a through tour. The Tourist Department has also received advice that another party of influential people living in Norwich will arrive at Auckland from Vancouver toward the end of January. Letters received from thorn and from the High Commissioner indicate that they are very anxious to take part in the deep-sea and trout fishing. The latest advice from San Francisco states that Pacific Tourist, Ltd., which for several years has specialised in escorted tours to this part of the world, is arranging another party to ho sent out early next year. The tour will last ten weeks, and a great part of this time will he spent in New Zealand.