TOURIST TRAFFIC

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1928, Page 2

TOURIST TRAFFIC

DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT. WELLINGTON, July 26. The annual report of the Tourist Department shows a considerable improvement in the business and financial operations. The revenue was £6-5,447, an increase of £3773. The expendj- 1 ture was £76,865, an increase of £487. The satisfactory figures are mainly duo > to improvement in business, the results of the' advertising and booking scheme in Now Zealand and Australia, as well as strict economy in the control of the Department’. As to the cry of favouring the north . against the south, this allegation is , disproved, and it is shown that actually the South Island bookings were far in excess of the North. It appears that the Department holds letters from tho leading tourist business firms in the South Island expressing their satisfaction with the business put in theii way by the Department. ' Such firms as Newman Bros, of Nelson and Hokitika, the Graham Bros., of Waiho Glacier, the Mount Cook Motor Co., and other leading concerns have all expressed themselves as satisfied with, and grateful for, the business sent them by the Department. In this connexion it has been the policy of the Department to see that all its officers engaged in this branch of the work shall have a complete personal knowledge of the resorts of New Zealand, and there is no office in the Dominion where there is not an officer who lias not visited every tourist resort in it, and is ui> to date regarding it. The Nelson and Greymouth offices, States the report, have shown a considerable increase on last year’s business, and the Bureaux have been capably conducted by the officers in charge. An office has also been opened in Westport, and satisfactory results are looked for from this, especially as it is well supported by local enthusiasts. Tho early completion of the road along the sea coast between Westport and Greymouth will be a material factor in improving tourist conditions in this district. The traffic to the South Westland glaciers has been very heavy, and is rapidly growing. The new accommodation house near the FoX Glacier, which will be an active operation next season, will he a I big help in dealing with the ever-in-creasing traffic, and should he the means of inducing tourists to devote longer time to South Westland than ; they usually do. Certain people seem I to be imbued with the idea that a day ■ is enough to spend in the glacier dis- ■ trict, whereas a week is all too short. But when they have made up their minds to spend only a definite period 1 in a place it is difficult to persuade : them to change. * The Sydney agent of the Tourist ; Department imports another record 1 year. Indeed, in the year under re- ■ view, he says, all records have been 1 broken, the total hookings amounting ■ to £5533, an increase over last year of £2Oll. “I attribute our great suc--1 .cess,” says the agent (Mr Blow), “to > the fact- that the majority of people F who have bought our tickets have been : personally recommended to do so by ! friends who have found out by experience how reliable the passenger-book- ■ ing part of our Department is, and - how the information and attention ’ given by this office can he depended ■ on.” Mr H. J. Manson, in Melbourne, v©- '• ports that “ the encouragement of the F tourist traffic lias, of course, been iff " primary importance, and much time has been devoted to propaganda work with 3 regard thereto. Literature has been • widely circulated through avenues most likely to bring in results, lectures have been delivered, and moving pictures . exhibited directing attention to our > scenic attractions, the result being in- ■ creased traffic to New Zealand, and as our booking system and the faciliI ties it affords become better known, there should ho a corresponding iv 1 crease in our returns. Be that as it may, the takings for the year disclose < a marked improvement on last year s figures.” Mr Manson adds: “You will be mi--1 tercsted to know that there is a uidc- ! spread movement covering the various ' States of the Commonwealth, and the 1 countries bordering on the, Pacific, to ’ keep the tourist on the move, and in ' co-operation with those engaged in the business it is hoped New Zealand will gain its fair share of trippers. Most countries are beginning to awaken to ■ the-fact’that the tourist is an “asset «.! considerable value, worthy of the cios- > est attention, and in common wi-h them you will agree that New Zeal m l, which can supply the fuiest goods, must i not lie lacking in any such enterprise. > Much money is to be spent on Bie ■ drive, and it looks as if a tremendous impetus will he given to the traffic.