Rugby World Cup sales on track

Saturday, 25 May, 2011 0

Ticket sales for this yearâ€™s Rugby World Cup (RWC) in New Zealand have become more challenging as a result of the Christchurch earthquake in February but organisers still expect to reach their sales targets.

Martin Snedden, CEO of Rugby New Zealand 2011, said he still expected ticket sales to reach 1.35 million, with revenue of NZ$268 million, despite eight of the RWC matches, including two quarter-finals, having to be moved away from Christchurch as a result of the February earthquake damage.

Ticket and accommodation packages sold by 20 RWC official travel agents have exceeded expectations, Snedden said.

Tickets sold so far show 29,000 visitors will arrive from Australia, 19,500 from UK and Ireland, 8,800 from France, 6,900 from the US and Canada, and 5,200 from South Africa.

Snedden said it was encouraging for the New Zealand tourism sector that 50 percent of RWC visitors would arrive before the first match of the tournament in September, the average length of stay would be 23 days and 49 percent of those attending RWC would be first time visitors to New Zealand.

Snedden added, â€œWe are in good shape but in all the hustle and bustle of the preparations for Rugby World Cup, we must not forget that Christchurch will still play a part in this.â€

The Canterbury region will host numerous events during the 48-day Real New Zealand Festival, including the Christchurch Arts Festival.

Festival director Briony Ellis said the festival was â€œa reason to follow the rugby the long way aroundâ€ through events in 50 towns and cities around New Zealand.

The festival will embrace wine, food, culture arts and community events.

More details at www.realnzfestival

Ian Jarrett

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