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- Strong sales of 85,000 match tickets sold as part of Official Travel Packages
- Three cruise ships confirmed for Tournament
- Ships to visit Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Picton, Napier, Tauranga, Bay of Islands

With the global Rugby community counting down the days until the opening of ticket sales for Rugby World Cup (RWC) 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 reported 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 while 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: “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 of 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, people 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.