Classic Rugby

The Rugby World Cup Comes To Queenstown

News that Dunedin will be the site of three England games in this year’s Rugby World Cup has businesses across Queenstown abuzz at the prospect of of English fans descending upon Otago.

 

Tony Everitt, the chief executive of Destination Queenstown, understands the disappointment felt by those in Christchurch which has lost the right to host World Cup games, but at the same time he is excited at the strong positive effect the England-Argentina game will have on the local economy.

 

With the addition of more games to Otago, Queenstown has also become host to a fourth team. Out of the four teams staying in Queenstown for the World Cup Ireland will remain the longest, spending seven nights in the resort town. The Georgian team will stay for six days while Romania and England will spend four and five days respectively.This is expected to have a significant effect in the number of Queenstown holiday house vacancies available.

 

According to Mr. Everitt, playing the England-Argentina pool game in Otago is “very significant”.

 

“This means the England team and fan base will be in Otago for a full three-week period,” Mr Everitt said.

 

“Of all the fan bases to get, the one to get is England, they will be quite significant in numbers, second only to Australia in terms of size of international supporter groups coming. They will almost definitely be the longest staying visitors in New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup.”

 

The close proximity and ease of travelling back and forth means that Australian supporters are unlikely to hang around for very long after the games.

 

“But the England fans will come and camp here so there will be lots of spare time to come and explore Queenstown.”

 

Mr. Everitt goes on to state that the arrival of England supporters will be a huge boost for Otago’s and Queenstown’s economy since the majority of England rugby supporters are probably in the ‘high net worth end’ of the market.

 

“It tends to be a rich gentleman’s and lady’s sport – it’s great for Queenstown.”

 

The additional game in Otago means Queenstown operators will have a larger window of opportunity to draw well-off English fans with “knockout” offers and other deals.

 

There are still hopes of an All Blacks Classics match being played in Queenstown during the World Cup. With the cancellation of all games at Christchurch, Invercargill will now host the Scotland-Georgia game on September 14, making a total of three games in eight days for the southern city.

 

Invercargill was previously picked to host the Scotland vs. Romania game on September 10 and the Argentina Romania game seven days later.

 

SOUTHERN POOL GAMES

 

DUNEDIN: Sept 10: Argentina v England Sept 18: England v Georgia Sept 24: England v Romania Oct 2: Ireland v Italy

 

INVERCARGILL Sept 10: Scotland v Romania Sept 14: Scotland v Georgia Sept 17: Argentina v Romania

 

So it would appear the Queeenstown will get a positive flow on from the world cup this year. We are exicited at the prospect of showing the world what Queenstown has to offer.

About the Author

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