COMFORTS FOR TOURISTS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1929, Page 7

COMFORTS FOR TOURISTS

ADYICV: TO NEW ZEALAND. “It comes to ibis, that if we wise to build a national goodwill as a lourist resort we must in some degret emulate the exump.e of our competitors in Europe and study the taste.anil habits of the poop.e lor wlioi we wish to cater,” declared Mr -L A'. Aiawson, Director of-Town Planning. in a recent address to the Rotorua Borough Council. His subjec was the increasing value of the tour Ist traffic, impressed upon him by IF years’ travel in many countries, par ticularly America, Canada, France Germany, Austria, Italy. Switzerlam and the Balkans. “We cannot say we will wait aiK see bow many visitors come here, and then provide the necessary hotels, and recreational and entertainment facilities: that would kill the goose wine’lays the golden eggs,” Air Mawson said. “AVe cannot advertise that which we have not got, for that would bring people hero under false pretences. It is no use boasting of our wonderful climate, scenery, and thermal wonders, unless at tbe same time we are in a position to provide firstclass transportation, facilities, hotel* and the ordinary amenities and com forts of life. These things must V provided in advance, and before the” can be provided we must be rensonabW sure of tbe nationality and spending power of the people for whom they are to be provided.”

■eifio.noo.ooo spent tn ettrope Air Mawson said it was estimated that one million English pooole visi 4 ed the Continent each year, and soon 4 over £50.000.000. and that -5.000.0 C Americans each year spent nbor' £100.000.000. Onlv about 80.00" Americans visited England each year and the primary reason was that Enr land could not offer them anythin" approaching the standard of comfor and luxury or the amusement the” could find in the French and Italia" Riviera. France, Italy and Switzer land had boon nationallv organise' 1 for tourist traffic on a scale which hato bo -seen to be believed, particular!in regard to roads, railways, am 1 transportation facilities and class hotels. On tbe French Rivieronly, there were more first-class bote’--than in the whole of the British Em p : rc. Tn two towns, only, Nice and Cannes, there were over 250 hotel" classified for taxation purposes s* “de luxe” and first-class, and mamof them had upwards from 800 bed rooms. Other facilities and nttrne tions arc organised on the same scale

“STUDY YOTTR RIVALS’ METHODS-.”

“If New Zealand has any proton sions to becoming a health or holidav resort wo must study closely tbe work and methods of our competitors in Europe, and try to apply some of tinlessons to be learned there. The firs 4 and most valuable lesson we slia" learn is that of co-operation and combined effort- without regard to local or sectional interests, so that tinwhole of the Dominion’s resources can be- organised and directed to a common end for the common good, and a concerted and united policy of action involved. Secondly, we shall learn the value of creating what I may end a holiday atmosphere and how thican be deliberated fostered. “The charms of Continental Europe with its hectic life are already be ginning to pall. There are indicn (ions, particularly amongst the Amor ic-ins, of a desire for healthier form" of snort and recreation and to extern 1 their knowledge of the world, and 1 am convinced myself that as thi" spirit grows, the Americans will turn their eves to New Zealand, whew these things, as I have said, can b' 1 found in abundance, but always the” will demand quick and comfortable transport facilities and a liign stand ard of nhvsical comfort in our hotels “THEY AVANT VALUE,” “It is in North America, includin'* Canada, wo shall find our largest and best market and it is the American* on whose habits, needs and spend in " power we ought- to ivincentrate oui attention. Now. T have travelled extensively in America, visiting all then leading resorts, and seen the Americans disporting themselves in Europe Tn many ways they are a race apait They make a business of their pleasure. and demand the very highest degree of organisation and efficiency from those whom they patronise. “In their own country and affairs they worship efficiency. They are one of the freest spending people in the world, but always they demand full value for their monov.' They do not cure what they spend provided they get what they want. English peoobwho visit the Continent complain bit(erlv that the Americans have ruined the market with their prodigious spending, but the simple fact is that the whole policy of the lending Continental resorts has been based on the sn-Miding power of. the Americans. Oth -r 'people must eitla-r accept tinAmerican standard or keep out. One thing is certain, and lots been nmplv demonstrated in the case of England, nnmplv, that the Americans will not tolerate o.r patronise in any way those r /u-nrts. whatever their attraction, y-lii'-h do not cune up to the stand--i.-d ,ff convenience, comfort and 1<” Pi nr lie can find at home. Eneli I '-' 1 1 1", ns'-oi' 1 . facilities are second to IK'”'in ila- wor'-l. lull when you have s:*-d fli-i|. von have said everything G'"' 1 ' the tourist Tioinl of vie-”, for tlie-e are no hotels worthy of the name outside of London. “From EnglanH I think we nmy