Rugby World Cup 2015 launched at Tower of London
The 2015 Rugby World will be the largest ever according to the organising committee and Visit England.
Some 300,000 overseas visitors are expected during the six-week tournament, which represents an additional UKP2billion into the visitor economy and approximately 40% of all the tickets available.
Coupled with a wider range of venues than ever for a World Cup, plus 14,000 hours of TV broadcast, it is seen as a major opportunity for England to show off some of its lesser known sporting venues and destinations.
The choice of Newcastle, Coventry and Leicester amongst others to host games will, in the opinion of ex-England captains and RWC winners, Martin Corry and Laurence Dallagio, go a long way to dispel the ‘public school’ image of rugby union.
Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) has awarded the exclusive contract to create, implement and market the official corporate hospitality and travel programmes for Rugby World Cup 2015 and 2019 to Rugby Travel & Hospitality (RTH) Limited, a joint venture between Sodexo UK and the Mike Burton Group.
Kit McConnell, head of Rugby World Cup, said that agents would be able to apply to supply tickets and hospitality in early 2013 after the all-important group draw, to be held in London in December.
Speaking at the press conference to launch RWC 2015, held at the Tower Of London, Paul Vaughan, CEO of RWC2015, said, "We intend to make this the biggest and best rugby tournament so far with the emphasis on community and inclusion, coupled with outstanding organisation."
By Graham McKenzie
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