Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1924-10-18

dollar or one cent into consideration
for tires or repairs, it being assumed
that each car would carry three-plus
people. These visitors, however, were
not here for a single day, but re-
mained on an average of at least 10
days so that the expenditure of each
10000 guests visiting our respective
commemorative would be $475,970.
/ Thus the expenditure for million
and a half tourists would be $50
times that amount or $7I,395, 500.
As matter Of fact the average stay
is nearer two weeks than ten days so
/ that the total would be very close to
$80,000,000
To point out still further how con-
sentative are these figures. let us
again measure them with those COM
piled by the Minnesota Highway
Commissioner, who is in a better
position to secure correct conclusions
than any other organization in any
of our states. They say that in 1928,
the actual average number of
tourists in Minnesota alone, based on
road count for seven days the last
week in August, was not 10000 as
we have allowed for the three states
represented here, but more than six
times that figure for Minnesota
alone, namely: 62,75O, consequently,
if We were to multiply our figures by
six, we would find that the tourist
money left with US would represent
not S80,000,000 but S480, 900, 900,
an amount that indicates the true i'm
portance of eultivating the tourist
industry. II must be remembered
that these figures do not take into
consideration a single dollar made
in an investment way,--and this too.
viii run into millions, if one will but
take the time to gather the facts
] know in my own state where one
syndicate came out from New York
and made an investment OF 100000;
Of Des Moines concern that sold
$50 lake shore lots, many of which
have been improved by the building
Of cottages thereon. Then one could
90 on to the furnishing Of these new
homes, etc. We must also include
the new hotels and resorts that have
resulted from the bringing in of this
great army of tourists to the lake
districts. All of these improve
ments 20 on to the tax rolls and bear
their share of the state and county
taxes. No one should for a moment
underestimate what the tourist
business means to the state or a
community.
1t is very necessary that we care
for the tourist in such a way as TO
satisfy him 1t is but human to
crave friendliness, and it must be re-
membered that courtesy and kind
ness are two Of the cheapest things
with which we can cash in on the
tourist trade. No matter what
questions the tourist may ask Of the
Ten Thousand Lakes office, no
matter how absurd it may be, the in
formation viii be given if We can
give it. Not a day goes ~ but
what we give out information rela-
tive to things absolutely immaterial
20 our work, yet al the same time we
not only believe but know that such
courtesy pays
The only way to cultivate the tour
ist business is to treat the traveller
right. There is nothing to be gain
ed and everything to be lost in treat
ing him rough One great factor,
therefore. in making the tourist
happy is 10 see that the roads, as far
as possible, are the best that can be
provided And this is being rapidly
accomplished By the building Of
better highways and in seeing that
they are properly maintained. An
other Is TO see that the camps are
sanitary and clean-and this is self
protection To allow a camp to 90
In an unsanitary condition is 10 in
wife disease into the community.
This is very important and in my
opinion the only way that it can be
assured is for the proper charge to
be made for the service rendered.
The officer ii charge Of the tourist
camp must be educated to the value
Of courtesy ard kindness. He must
even 20 out Of his way to make the
stay Of the tourist pleasant, which
means that he viii have 10 follow
Continued on last page