Travel Convention

Delegates from all parts of New Zealand and overseas – more than 350 of them – descended on Nelson for a weekend last month to discuss ways and means of improving the tourist industry in New Zealand. The delegates, all members of the New Zealand Travel and Holidays Association, struck anything but touristlike weather for the convention - after weeks of sunshine - but the weather did not interfere with their deliberations and only partly restricted the social activities. The Celtic gymnasium, decorated inside and out, served as the convention hall, and the Stoke Memorial Hall, at which a wonderful social evening was held on the Saturday night, also reflected the tremendous amount of work put into the preparations for the convention.

"Tourism is Trade" was the theme of the convention, and it was the climax to the social evening when the Great Benyon deftly tore the message from folded paper during his act.

Mr Eyre forecast in his address that New Zealand could earn £15m from tourism within three years.

Mrs L.M.Robertson, Tauranga, president of the New Zealand Motels Federation, receives the association's travel enterprise award from Mr Dean Eyre, Minister in Charge of Tourism,

This exhibit dominated the hall at Stoke

A view of the Celtic gymnasium as the Mayor (Mr Strawbridge) welcomed delegates

Two delegates admire the Nelson Fern Society's display in the foyer of the Stoke Hall.

"The Gold Leaf Girls", Anne, Lee and Sue, who acted as cigarette girls at the social on the Saturday night.

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The Nelson Photo News

No 44 : June 27, 1964

Travel Convention