TOURIST INFLUX

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 394, 30 March 1937, Page 6

TOURIST INFLUX

PUBLICITY EFFECTS. Limit to Accommodation. Anticipating an exceptionally large influx of tourists to the Dominion next season, the Tourist Department is considerably exercised over the limited hotel accommodation in New Zealand, stated the general manager of the Department (Mr L. J. Schmitt) in an interview with the Christchurch Press. The tourist, traffic of the Dominion was developing at such a rapid rate, said Mr. Schmitt, that next season the influx would be of such dimensions that the Department would not be able to place its overseas visitors unless the hotelkeepers realised at once that additional accommodation was necessary and. announced straight away their intentions of making the necessary extensions to their premises. .

Already this season the tourist resorts of the Dominion were finding it extremely difficult to cope with the situation. The Department itself was leading the way by announcing that additions would be made to the accommodation at a number of the tourist. resorts, and It was hoped that the hotels would fall into line and provide the most modern facilities.

Mr. Schmitt that only the other day he received letters from the New Zealand tourist commissioners at Toronto and Los Angeles respectively, stating that New Zealand could definitely look forward next year to a big influx of visitors from the United States and Canada. Reports to hand, too, from London and from Australia were to the effect that bookings had already been made for next year’s business.

“Make no mistake,” continued Mr. Schmitt, “this is a. very important matter. It is a. serious thing. Our publicity overseas has been considerably extended during the last twelve months, and we are now beginning to feel the effect of it.” Mr. Schmitt also mentioned that he association authorities, in conjunction was pleased to see the automobile with the Customs Department, were now arriving at a satisfactory method for the registration of motor-cars brought to New Zealand by overseas visitors, without necessitating the payment of duty while travelling.