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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 2, Issue 11 (March 1, 1928)

To Build Tourist Traffic. — Railways And Hotels

page 4

To Build Tourist Traffic.
Railways And Hotels.

The enterprise of the Railway Department in arranging for the services of the mail-agents on trans-Pacific liners in the planning of itineraries for tourists to the Dominion and giving other helpful information to the voyagers is proving advantageous to New Zealand as well as to the travellers. The contacts with the tourists returning home—their comments on the experiences in regard to transport, accommodation and other matters—will also serve a good purpose.

New Zealanders who travel on their own railways are appreciating the active policy of the Department in its ever-extending provision for the safety and comfort of passengers. Of course, it is not claimed that perfection has been achieved, but the Department is moving earnestly and vigorously on lines of progress, and welcomes broad-minded criticism or suggestions for the further improvement of the service. Recognising the duty and responsibility to “the shareholders”—the general public—the management is striving to make the railways as useful as possible to the owners.

To New Zealanders themselves the railways can become increasingly beneficial, despite the modern developments in motoring, and they should be also the main means of transport for visitors, as the lines link up directly with many of the principal scenic, sporting and health resorts, and connect conveniently with roads to other places.

The Basis of Business.

Chambers of Commerce, Manufacturers' Associations, Progress Leagues, Licensed Victuallers' Associations and other bodies are all eager to see a big expansion of tourist traffic. The world knows that New Zealand has scenery and sport worth a trip across the globe, but “the world and his wife” are not coming here in numbers worthy of the natural attractions. The truth is that Nature has done her part generously, splendidly, but man has not done enough.

This subject has been discussed at various conferences, and usually there has been an expectation that some kind of more or less magic move should be made by the Government. A calm and careful survey of the field shows that the Government—through the working of the Railway and Tourist Departments and the Publicity Office—has been active, and continues to be progressive. The position to-day (as disclosed in the remarks of travellers) may be briefly stated thus:—

Modern methods of attracting tourists are being used.

Shipping services to New Zealand are comfortable and regular.

Internal transport satisfies reasonable expectations.

The supply of first-class hotel accommodation is not now equal to the demand.

Railways Doing Their Part.

Previous issues of this magazine have given many tourists' favourable opinions of the railway services throughout the Dominion. A recent visitor, a well-known citizen of the U.S.A., Mr. P. M. Leavitt, has recorded his impressions in a letter to the Railway representative (the mailagent) on R.M.S. Tahiti. Here is an extract:—

I have traversed the islands from Auckland to Dunedin, and am glad to testify to receiving the utmost and universal courtesy and assistance from every R.R. official and employee I have come in contact with that a traveller in a strange land could desire, and further I have noticed the same of those travelling near me. Your rail service is excellent, and I have enjoyed my travel over it very much. I question much whether any great improvement could be made without an increased expense beyond what there is the traffic in sight to pay for.

Mr. Leavtt made some suggestions for some early-morning re-adjustments of time-tables. He remarked that the early leaving of certain trains from termini made it difficult to obtain even an early breakfast. “Another thought which was discussed by many other travellers who felt as I did,” he continued, “was that ice-cream could page 5 well be added to the quick-lunch refreshment service at more stations. I found it at only two I touched.”

The Accommodation Outlook.

A high standard of accommodation is set by leading hotels of the North and South Island, and this excellent example is being gradually followed by others, but the rate of progress is not fast enough to meet the needs. Generally the food and cleanliness are commended by many visitors from overseas, but some houses lack the amenities to which wealthy tourists are accustomed in older countries. This matter is getting attention, and the signs point to advancement.

The Lighter Side of Railway Life. Merriment Makers At The Railway Picnic.

The Lighter Side of Railway Life.
Merriment Makers At The Railway Picnic.

One of Many Happy Groups. (Misses R. Beck, F Carr, E. Fitzgerald, I. Aitken, B. Clarke, N. Lee.)

One of Many Happy Groups.
(Misses R. Beck, F Carr, E. Fitzgerald, I. Aitken, B. Clarke, N. Lee.)