Overseas fans set to flock to NZ for RWC 2011
With the global Rugby community counting down the days until the
opening of ticket sales for Rugby World Cup 2011, Tournament
organisers have announced that New Zealand looks set to attract a
huge influx of overseas visitors for Rugby's showpiece event.
Applications for Venue and Team Pool Packs open on Tuesday,
April 27 through the official website
www.rugbyworldcup.com/tickets with fans from Dublin to Buenos Aires, Moscow to Cape Town and
everywhere in between looking to secure their ticket to the
must-see sporting event of the year.
All indications are that there will be a huge demand for
tickets as Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) today unveiled that sales
through the Official Travel Programme have already topped 85,000
match tickets within Official Travel Packages purchased by fans
from all corners of the world, including New Zealanders who are
keen to experience what will be the biggest sporting event the
country has ever hosted.
RWCL has also announced the appointment of three Tournament
dedicated Cruise Ships that will provide accommodation to over
5,500 visiting fans who purchase through the Official Travel
Programme. The appointments have been received as a welcome boost
during the quarter-finals, semi-finals and Final when accommodation
will be in demand.
With interest and sales exceeding all projections, RWCL
Managing Director Mike Miller said that the great start to ticket
sales underlined the global prestige of what is the world's
third largest sporting event.
"The initial sales and speed of uptake have been
unprecedented and already current sales exceed the total of 82,000
match tickets sold as part of the Official Travel Package programme
for Rugby World Cup 2003 in Australia.
"Travel agents are reporting up to a 40 percent increase
in sales compared to the same stage prior to Rugby World Cup 2007
in France, which is an exceptional result and underlines the global
appetite to experience the world's third largest sporting
event."
Brett Thomas from New Zealand based Official Travel Agent
(OTA), House of Travel, has welcomed the exceptional sales:
"We have been pleased with the early interest from overseas
and the New Zealand corporate sector, however most recently there
has been a significant increase in Kiwis purchasing tickets to
guarantee their place for the semi-finals and the Final."
Mike Jones from Australian based OTA, Total Sport, is also
very buoyant about sales to date from the Australian region:
"The response so far has been fantastic with Wallaby
supporters not just purchasing tickets to the pool games but
Australian fans are also excited that RWC 2011 could see the
Wallabies and All Blacks meet in the Final for the first
time."
Official Travel Agents from New Zealand, France, Italy,
United Kingdom and South Africa have all significantly increased
original ticket orders, which underlines the heavy demand from
Rugby fans around the world.
Andrew Burton, Chief Executive of Rugby Travel &
Hospitality (NZ) Ltd (RTH) said: "Sales in the initial stages
are beyond our expectations and we are now forecasting an
incredible 120,000 match tickets to be sold within the Travel
Packages for RWC 2011.
"These positive results will enhance the number of
expected overseas visitors to New Zealand which are already
estimated to be in excess of 70,000. For RTH, the appointment of
three cruise ships was a vital initiative to provide additional
accommodation required for the Tournament and all our overseas
visitors."
The three Official RWC 2011 vessels appointed are Rhapsody of
the Seas operated by Cruiseco, MS Voldendam operated by Adventure
World and Pacific Dawn operated by TUI Travel Sport. Cruiseco and
Adventure World, both Australian based operators have also been
appointed as OTAs and are offering match ticket inclusive cruise
packages.
Rugby World Cup Cruise Operators are offering packages that
allow Rugby fans the opportunity to cruise around New Zealand
taking in sights including Picton, Napier, Tauranga and the Bay of
Islands. In addition, Rhapsody of the Seas and MS Volendam will
berth in Wellington whilst Pacific Dawn will be located in
Christchurch for the quarter-final matches. All three cruise ships
will travel to Auckland for the semi-finals and Final.
The positive sales and appointment of three Official Rugby
World Cup vessels has been welcomed by Martin Snedden, CEO for
Tournament Organiser, Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd (RNZ 2011).
"We are really looking forward to being a Nation of Four
Million fantastic hosts for the tens of thousands of visitors we
will welcome next year. We promise our overseas guests that not
only will they be watching great Rugby in a country passionate
about the Game, they will experience the very best or our unique
culture, natural heritage and Kiwi hospitality.
"We are planning to celebrate the Tournament up and down
the land with every region showcasing its art, food, peoples and
landscapes in a wonderful festival of events. I am sure visitors
will leave with very special memories."
RWC 2011 cruise ship packages are already on sale as part of
the Tournament's Official Travel Programme. The Official Travel
Programme for RWC 2011 went on sale on January 1, 2010.
For further information on the official travel programme,
visit
www.rth2011.com.
