Accommodation available in Germany for Aussies

From 150:1 odds to 50:1, Australia are now odds-on favourites (at least at home) to win the World Cup in Germany next year and Aussies wishing to follow their team can now book their accommodation for 2006 thanks to the World Cup Accommodation Service (WACS) online booking system.

Last night’s 4-2 victory against Uruguay means that Australia will compete in the soccer World Cup for the first time since 1974. Interestingly, Germany seems a lucky charm for the Aussies, as the last time we made the World Cup it was also played there. Then, in ’74, Australia came 14^th but fans are expecting a much better performance from the Aussies this time around.

The team says the roar of the crowd made all the difference last night, so they are encouraging Australians to head overseas to cheer them through to victory in 2006.

WCAS will use technology similar to the successful Mondiresa system set up by Accor and its partners to manage accommodation for the 1998 World Cup in Paris, which ensures planning reliability for tour operators, partners, suppliers and fans. Mondiresa will again be used for the 2007 World Cup in France.

World Cup Accommodation Services (WCAS) makes it possible to securely book accommodation at more than 550 participating hotels in Germany during the World Cup through one website.

The WCAS system guarantees fair rates and simple bookings no matter what team the fan elects to follow and allows travellers to book accommodation in any of the 12 venues being used for the World Cup.

For a project of this magnitude, FIFA has developed a joint venture including Accor Hotels Germany GmbH, Euro Lloyd Reiseburo GmbH & Co KG and the British company Byrom plc, all of whom have wide-ranging experience in organising major world-class sports events.

The WCAS system will provide access to a wide range of hotels from two stars to five stars, all of which are close to official venues. The system will book more than 1.5 million room nights, with 550 hotels to choose from.

With just a few clicks on www.fifaworldcup.com it is possible to guarantee accommodation bookings even at this stage. You simply specify which team you want to follow and what time period you would like to be in Germany. The World Cup runs from 9 June to 9 July 2006.

Bookings are available in three-night options around each group match, as well as 12-night stays for all match days during the Group match phase. Bookings can also be made for the quarterfinals and semi-finals.

Should your team be eliminated, you will not lose your booking but will automatically follow the winner of that group.

Rates for all WCAS hotels are guaranteed and there can be no increase in rates after the final draw in December. To guard against price gouging, rates are based on room prices for the year 2003 plus an inflation rate of two per cent per annum.

“We, as sole provider of such a programme in the tourism industry, are happy to offer organisers and fans attractive rates and guaranteed accommodation for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany,” said Thomas Edelkamp, Managing Director of the WCAS.

“We will use this mega event to position Germany as a tourist destination throughout the world on a long-term basis.”