Soul searching by Taupo chamber members

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 66, 24 August 1965, Page 4

Soul searching by Taupo chamber members

Discussion engendered from a talk given to the Taupo Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday by Mr Michael Mecredy, saies representative for Air New Zealand, led to a lot of soul-searching and conjecture on just how capable New Zealand, and Taupo in particular, is to cope with the expected influx of jet tourists following the opening of Auckland's new airport. The consensus of opinion was that something was lacking, and there was a great deal of room for improvement.

Although most of the iriteresting discussion took place in committee, two main factors emerged. One was that New Zealand is not ready to deal with the expecfed influx because of inadequate accommodation. The other was the laek of advertising media to boost other places apart from Rotorua's Maoris and geysers. Mr Mecredy's address captivated the chamber and subsequent discussion went on well beyond the normal session of its meetings. Even thongh a large nnmber were excused to attend other meetings, many stayed on and others filtered back. Mr Mecredy explained that in the year ending March, 1965, Air New Zealand carried more than 150,000 passengers at 400 m.p.h. With the opening of Auckland^ international airport, they would be carrying more passengers at 600 m.p.h. The company's aircraft wonld be operating in competition with others, who would be bringing tourists on their services over the trans-Pacific routes. With Air New Zealand operating overseas, rights would have to be conceded to other companies to operate to New Zealand. Air New Zealand could bring 7000 tourists to New Zealand each year, Mr Mecredy said. They would come mainly from America. The overseas exchange value would be equal to the export of more than- 1.25 million cases of apples and more than 660,000 lambs. Various incentives were being given to encourage more overseas people to travel. These included loweost tours. All this helped to find new markets for selling tonrism. Greater opportunities were also being offered for air freighting.

Mr Mecredy denied that the New Zealand Government had to support Air New Zealand in its running operations. In 25 years of operation, the company had been profitable for 21. Profits were more than £2 million compared with losses of £.570 million. He concluded by saying that it was only a New Zealand owned carrier that could be expected to place New Zealand's interests first. With the support of the country in its endeavours, Air New Zealand felt confident of meeting the jet age. Answering questions, Mr Mecredy said that the Government knew the value of tourists. There was a lot to be seen in this country and tourism was an easy way to bring in overseas funds. Tourism was going to be bigger than visualised and the increase due to jets would he fantastic. "The Americans have done the Orient and Europe, and we believe there will be a sudden influx with the advent of jets," he said. Hotel and motel development was necessary, however. Lots of Americans did not wish to pay high prices and suitable motels would fit their needs. The impaet on the country should be given serious consideration. He asked if what Taupo was doing was sufficient. It was a small commnnity. Publicity would be expensive and he advocated working in with the Tourist and Publicity Department and the Travel and Holidays Association. He advocated mobile tours by small parties as one attraction — for which there was a great demand from Australians. Mr Mecredy advised education of the agents in America and they would sell it to the tourists. There was

also plenty of scope for private ^enterprise and concessions would be available. He emphasised, however, that Taupo should keep in touch with the Government Tourist and Publicity Department. * "The southern hemisphere is virtually untouched by tourism and jets will give an influx. We can't tell what the impact will be, but the northern hemisphere has been travelled and re-trav-elled. New Zealand will have something new," he said. Mr Ewen Christie suggested that Taupo was not geai* ed up to meet this influx. Major investments should be encouraged, such as those in the accommodation and restaurant fields. The town had voted for a trust hotel. He did nat know what had happened, but it would probably be needed next year, he said. The discussion which followed for some time afterwards was not open to th^ press.