TOURISM

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 68, 31 August 1965, Page 2

TOURISM

Sir, — I recently listened to an inspiring address by James H. Shoemaker, vice-presi-dent of the Bank of Hawaii, Honolulu. A few of his remarks will not come amiss to my fellow residents in Taupo so, if you will bear with me I quote: "No activity exemplines the impact of rapid technical advances and the need for organisation to anticipate and deal with them as clearly as does tourism. "In my view, New Zealand is on the threshold of an exceptional growth in this field. "Nothing is of grejater importance in the growth of travel than air transportation. "Within 18 months, an elongated and more versatile version of the present jet will be available to carry 200 to 250 passengers. The cost of operation will increase only about 25 per cent. and the effects on air fares are obvious.

"In all industrial nations incomes are advancing — and in western Europe and the United States, incomes have been rising rapidly. There will be an increase in the size of travel markets. Increasing incomes will bring a rising stream from those who cannot now afford foreign travel into the group that can, and a reduction in air fares. I "Advances in medical science are prolonging life, hence the number of healthy retired persons is increasing rapidly. Their resources are increasing also. It should be noted too, that there is now a trend toward early retirement. "Anyone travelling today cannot fail to be impressed by the increase in all international conferences. With the increase in the size of planes and the lowering of fares, there will probably be an increase in another form of international travel. To date, sports contests, cultural events, and entertainment have tended to be largely national in character. I believe it highly probable, that within a decade these activities will be on an international scale.

"At the same time there will be a very pronounced rise in person-to-person conferences between businessmen of different countries. "The non-tourist traveller thus should receive increasing attention." It can be assumed from this that Taupo will soon be on the receiving end of a much increased tourist trade — but only if we are geared to accept it. There is room for thought here on the part of all of us. . We have, in and. around Taupo, some of the finest fishing, hunting, aquatic, scenic, sports, or just loafir\,g, potential to be found in a small compass anywhere and for good measure we can throw in Maori culture, thermal activity and New Zealand history. Good, but what of our transport system, our accommodation, our restaurants, our conference facilities, our everything? — Yours, etc.,

M.

G. FOSTER.