InterCity calls on Northland tourism industry to come together to capitalise on Rugby World Cup 2011

Release Date: Monday March 16th, 2009

The tourism industry in Northland will need to fight its corner if it wants to maximise the benefits of the Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2011 Malcolm Johns, Chief Executive Officer of InterCity Group, said today.

"It is fantastic news that Northland will be hosting two Rugby World Cup 2011 matches and I congratulate everyone for their successful bid to host two pool games. The Rugby World Cup 2011 offers fantastic opportunities for the region to get a real economic boost.

"To really realise the true economic benefits of the Rugby World Cup 2011, the Northland tourism industry together with local bodies and organisations, now needs to come together to develop and aggressive and focused strategy on how to get fans to the area and keep them here beyond the matches."

Rugby New Zealand 2011 yesterday announced that the Northland Events Centre in Whangarei had been successful in its bid to host two RWC 2011 games - Tonga v Americas 1 on September 14, and Tonga v Asia on September 21. An additional 12 games are scheduled to be held in Central Auckland and on Auckland's North Shore.

Malcolm added, "To really capitalise on the Rugby World Cup 2011, Northland needs to look beyond just the two games being hosted in Whangarei to see how it can attract the thousands of fans that will be visiting Auckland for the games being hosted there, including the semis and final.

"Northland offers one of the most stunning tourism experiences in the country, and the games Auckland will host represent a major economic development opportunity. However, other destinations throughout New Zealand, and especially those also located close to Auckland, will be eyeing up these same fans to attract them to their regions. For Northland to really benefit from the Rugby World Cup 2011, it will require a well thought out strategy with industry and local government working closely together."

Just as it did during the Lions Tour, InterCity will be doing its bit to match demand with supply when it comes to transport services during RWC 2011.

"New Zealand has a fantastic opportunity to showcase its tourism offer during the Cup and InterCity will be helping make sure that fans can move through the country easily and safely. New Zealand is known for its hospitality and the Rugby World Cup 2011 provides an opportunity for us to showcase this hospitality to the world. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful marketing tools and we want every fan to leave New Zealand singing the praises of our destination," said Johns.

"We have already had a number of approaches from UK fans wanting to charter our new small cruise ship to follow the Rugby World Cup around New Zealand. While the ship is well suited for this type of work, the Rugby World Cup is during its summer cruising season in the Bay of Islands and InterCity will be loyal to those customers who will support the product and the Bay of Islands before, during and after the Rugby World Cup."