Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1936-07-03

money to spend than in any year since
1880.
1t Is only in recent years that we
have become thoroughly vacation
conscious. l can remember the time
and not so many years ago-when
two weeks from the office was a lux
ury within the reach of only the
wealthiest class. In those days, sew
eral weeks respite from duty each
summer was regarded as an unneces-
sary frill. Gradually through the 2Os.
the value of recreation period was
realized by more firms and ty more
individuals each year. Everybody was
just about sold on the scheme when
the crash came. But even through the
hopeless depression years the get
away-from-home idea made headway.
People have only been waiting for bet
ter times to get on the vacation band
wagon.
Spend Rather Than Save
The experiences of the recent past
have added many new recruits to that
group who feel that it is best to en-
Joy your money while you have it.
The growth of this spending" COM
pick is another reason why believe
that 1896 will be a buster vacation
year than 1929, even though the ma
tional income is far less. Therefore
with business nearly back to normal
the tourist boom is on again Hun
dreds of concerns who are forced to
cancel vacation privileges during the
worst Of the depression are restoring
their old plans. Other companies, who
never before gave time off with pay
are doing SO this summer.
The recent reduction in train, bus
and steamship rates should increase
this summers excursion business
Travel agents tell me that European
and coastal cruises are very popular
Tourists, however, are not spending
much time in Europe due to the low
purchasing-power of our dollar. Au-
tomobiles and trailers will be enjoyed
more than ever. People who have
never before taken a vacation by
train, bus steamship, or auto are do
ing so this year. The low cost of all
kinds of travel has brought a trip
Trombone within the grasp of an en-
tirely new economic class. Intelligent
advertising has done bang-up job in
stimulating peoples desires to view
new scenes and see new faces.
Reliable Tip-Offs.
All reliable barometers of the re-
creation industry are already con-
firming my forecast. Four million new
cars have been sold since the 1880
models were introduced-almost as
many for the same season as in 1929
Registratians are today reaching for
the top of the 1929 boom. Gasoline
consumption is at a new all-time peak
for early July. More people spent time
in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, in
the Southwest, and in Southern Cali
fornia this Winter than ever before.
Exceptional activity at southern re-
sorts is always a good omen for the
summer season in the North. Boom
sales in recreation merchandise dur
ing the past fortnight give final as
surance that this is to be a record
season.
What does this trek to the play
grounds mean to American business?
In a word, the value of 1886 tourist
trade should total $1,000 900 900. This
puts it on par, from a dollars and
NCLAtS .SLdiOpOlACy Will OuT SlSdHCIC
steel and automobile industries. 1t
benefits makers and sellers of all
kinds of vacation merchandise, trans
portation companies, hotels, over
night camps, gasoline stations, candy
concerns, and so on right down the
line to the man with the popcorn
stand along the beach. Here are some
figures which gave an idea of who
gets the vacationist's dollar:
Retail merchants ...... $O25
Restaurants and cafes ......... O21
Hotels and camps ........ OH
Theatres and amusements -. OO9
Gasoline stations ............. OLE
Transportation, rail, taxi 800. O.O7
Incidentals .. ................ O.Os
Confectionery stores ............ COS
$1OO
Make Your Vacation Pay.
Last year the average tourist spent
$3.50 per day against $40 in 1890
These figures clearly show the trend
in American vacations. Low-priced
inns. overnight camps, modest beach
houses, and lake cottages had a fair
season in 1895. This summer the ex
pensive resorts with their luxurious
hotels, club-hOuses, and ranches will
have their first real business hinct
1880. This years daily expenditure:
ought to rise by at least a dollar. But
there will be ample accommodation: