Evening star., 1939-12-24

Der of visitors, for the winter months
anyway, is expected to be right
around 100000, commensurate with
the business for the last three or
four years: What the sharp boost
IN inquiries at the all-year club
from vacationists means remains for
determination.
Arizona Prepares.
The plump lady from Boston, who
might have ridden camel in Egypt
this winter, but for the war, prob
ably will find herself aboard an
Arizona saddle horse. The State
government has taken the lead in
building up the winter tourist busi-
ness. Border inspection stations,
where baggage used to be searched
and annoying questions were asked,
now are courtesy stations" hand
ing out free grapefruit, road maps
and information.
Normally, the winter resort hotels
and guest ranches in Arizona operate
full blast from January to April
This year some of then had paying
guests as early as September
Owners expect the longest and most
profitable season the industry ever
has enjoyed.
The Phoenix Chamber of Com
merce estimates winter visitors will
spend between s50,0O0,O0O and $780,
100000 in the Salt River Valley.
They spent about s4O,OOO,O0O last
season.
Less pronounced than the Florida,
Arizona, Idaho and California busi-
ness will be that of other sections
until the summer travel season
opens. Then the Great Lakes re-
sorts, the Rocky Mountain retreats
and New England vacation spots will
share with them the American dollar
which heretofore has gone abroad.
More Ski Trails Prepared.
Some reports by sections.
New England.-1n preparation for
a big winter sports year. 1000 miles
of ski trails in 206 communities
have been made ready. This COM
pares with ski trails in 50 COM
munitieS three years ago. Hotels
expect increased business as soon
as the "snow season" opens. The
Maine Development Commission
says many vacationists are expected
to be diverted to Maine from Europe.
North Atlantic.-Atlantic City and
Asbury Park, primarily summer sea-
shore resorts, estimate that the in
crease in winter business will be 10
per cent. Lake Placid, principal
Northern New York State winter
resort, Is preparing for it's biggest
season since the 1882 Olympic
games on the basis of Hundreds" of
early reservations in hotels and
clubs. The Chamber of Commerce
reports requests for vacation in
formation exceed those of any pre-
vious winter, exclusive of 1882
Middle West-Railroads are look
ing forward to increases in ski train
business, hauling weekend crowds
from Milwaukee and Chicago to
Houghton and Iron Mountain, Mich.
and Wausau and La Crosse, Wis.
though agents suggest this has little
to do with the inhibitions on travel
caused by the war. Travel bureaus
have had increased inquiries about
Mexico. The Chicago & North.
western expects heavy travel tt
California, several special tours al
ready having been announced. The
Illinois Central says Florida toul
business Is 20 per cent above that OF
last year, that to New Orleans anC
Gulf resorts the same amount.
South's Reservations Heavy.
South - Hotels and apartments
at Sea Island, Ga, have beer
crowded to capacity since early
October. Reservations for the holi.
day season are the heaviest in his.
tory. Business at Hot Springs, Vir.
ginia's leading winter resort. is vel
above average. Surveys of hotel
railroad and bus business at Biloxi
Miss, indicate an uptrend in trave
after Christmas due to European
war conditions.
Paul v. Conant of the Charles
ton IS. c. Chamber of Commerce
says the city can expect a Is pc
cent increase in the tourist. trad
due to the situation in Europe. Pine
hurst, N. c., expects a 20 per cen
boost in business at Christmas time
One hotel at Southern Pines, N. c.
has IS per cent boost in trade, bu
it is attributed to better economic
conditions rather than to the war
The demand for accommodations a
Camden, S. c., for the winter season
surpasses all previous highs. TIL,
city has experienced the bigges
building boom in a century. Trave
to Aiken, S. c.. shows a marked in
crease over that of former years.
Tourist travel at New Orleans
shows 20 per cent increase. Stat,
hotel commissioner estimates 1900,