Tourism New Zealand backs Rugby World Cup venues
The venues confirmed for the 2011 Rugby World Cup will encourage visitors to experience a wide range of destinations across New Zealand, according to the country’s tourist office.
The tournament take places in the country from September 9 to October 23, 2011.
Thirteen venues have been chosen for the games, with a geographical spread from Invercargill in the South Island, up to Whangarei at the tip of the North Island. All venues will host at least two games.
The England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland teams’ pool games will be played in destinations including Dunedin, Christchurch, New Plymouth, Rotorua, Hamilton and Auckland.
The quarter-finals will be played in Wellington and Christchurch and the semi-finals and finals in Auckland.
Ticketing agents have yet to be announced for the tournament which is held every four years.
The British and Ireland Lions tour of New Zealand in 2005 is thought to have attracted an additional 25,000 visitors to the country.
Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton said: “We are delighted that the Rugby World Cup game draw shows such great regional spread.
“We are expecting tens of thousands of visitors for the event. This draw means that our visitors will be encouraged to experience a wider range of our country and enjoy our diverse landscapes.”
He added: “We already have our ‘Front Row Rugby Club’ that enables rugby fans around the world to come together and find out the latest information on the Cup and New Zealand’s tourism activities.
“Through this we are really hoping to attract as many fans as possible to make the trip here for the 2011 Rugby World Cup,”
A full list of the confirmed match venues can be found at www.rugbyworldcup.com/destinationnewzealand/news/
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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