For Tahiti

Tourists Now Wanted

New Governor’s Interesting Plans

From Our Own Correspondent

Papeete, June 20.

TOURISM— the handy French word which means that profitable in dustry which caters for and en courages the tourist traffic —is to be assisted in every reasonable way by the energetic new Governor of French Oceania, M. Armand Anziani.

M. Anziani has informed me that all irksome restraints regarding the admis sion to the Colony of visitors are to be removed, and the slogan “Come to Tahiti” is being broadcast to the world as an in vitation to visit the “Pearl of the Pacific.”

Governor Anziani (formerly Directeur Adjoint of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of French Overseas Possessions) comes to his new assignment with ex perience well fitted to a successful ad ministration at this time of international unrest. Cordial and easy of approach, having had experience with America and the American way of life, his administra tion is calculated to go far to make the sojourn of foreigners in Tahiti congenial, and to make French Oceania attractive to overseas visitors.

As regards the tourist business itself, Tahiti stands in about the same position as did Hawaii forty years ago. To pre pare for an anticipated influx of visitors, the formation of a Bureau in Papeete, consisting of French, American and British residents experienced in the de velopment of tourist trade, is under con sideration.

To this Bureau will be assigned the duty of promoting steamer and airplane traffic between Tahiti and the rest of the world. It will also undertake the develop ment of facilities for accommodation and entertainment.

While Papeete already possesses a num ber of small hostelries, notably “Les Tropiques,” Rivnac’s “White Beach” and the “Royal Tahitian” in the suburbs, Gov ernor Anziani is investigating the possi bility of creating and erecting a well equipped modern hotel of one hundred rooms. He is also considering establish ment of a refrigeration plant for storage of quality foods and the formation of a colourful tourist band to welcome steamers and airplanes.

The project of setting in order the Bora Bora airstrip is also engaging his atten tion, together with installation of gaso line storage tanks, a hotel, and small air planes to transport visitors from Bora Bora to Papeete.

Already Trapas Air Company is operat ing monthly from Noumea to Papeete, via Fiji, Samoa and Cook Islands, 'll is anticipated that before year’s end, air service will be established out of Hono lulu to connect at Fiji or Samoa with Trapas planes, which service will effect long-time isolation of French Oceania.