Six Thousand Tourists Turned Away from Queenstown PROGRESS LEAGUE URGES HOSTEL

Lake County Mail, Issue 40, 10 March 1948, Page 2

Six Thousand Tourists Turned Away from Queenstown PROGRESS LEAGUE URGES HOSTEL

A sub-committee comprising Mr E, R. Hopwood and Captain G. A. Herbert was appointed, at a meeting of vthe Queenstown Progressive League last week, to formulate evidence of the necessity of an early start being made on the building of the proposed tourist hostel at Queenstown.

The league was unanimous that the evidence should be circulated to all members of Parliament and other representatives at the South Island Local Bodies’ Association meeting which is to be held next month. The case will be presented to the meeting by the representative tor the district, Mr Newman (Mayor of Gore), and, it is understood, Mr D. H. Cockhurn will give it further support. From the figures presented to the league’s meeting by Mr E. S. Hopwood, there was conclusive proof that only 14| per cent, of the working population of Queenstown, is independent on the tourist trade. It was claimed, therefore, that tourists were an industry to the town—not a sideline. Captain 6. A. Herbert said that from figures lie had prepared he estimated that through lack of accommodation, the' Governement Tourist Department at Queenstown had turned

2000 people away from the town since Christmas. Other tourists department: he estimated had also turned awa; 2000 while Government bureau tli rough out New Zealand could also estimated as having turned away tha number making a total of 0000 tourist who could not visit Queenstown. With the present dollar situation i was unfortunate that American tourist were unable td viyit the town. Captaii Herbert emphasised the fact that sucl tourists would return to the Unitei States deploring the lack of facilitie at Queenstown. It was estimated by Mr W. Warrethat there was more accommodatio in the town 25 years ago. INCORPORATED SOCIETY Enquires arc to be made as to th steps to be taken to have the leagu made an incorporated society. Concern was felt over members no attending meetings or sending apok gies. It was decided to send a circula to those concerned.