Record sales for Rugby World Cup hospitality

Corporate hospitality packages for next year's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand have totalled just under NZ $25 million in sales a week after launching, according to Rugby Travel & Hospitality NZ (RTHNZ).

The most popular hospitality package being sold is the Eden Park Pavilion, and there has also been strong sales in Christchurch for the quarter-final matches (where New Zealand is expected to play), as well as Wellington for quarter-final weekend. Most of the sales so far have been made to New Zealand and Australian companies.

David White, Director of Operations at RTHNZ explains "this is way beyond our expectations and more than double that sold in the first week of RWC 2007 in France where total sales eventually exceeded 100,000 packages.

"Our customers obviously see RWC 2011 as a fantastic way of hosting clients from New Zealand and around the world and our wide range of packages, designed to meet the varying needs of different customers provide them with a great way of enjoying all the action of the Tournament from the best seats in the house."

RTHNZ, the joint-venture between catering and support service provider Sodexo and corporate hospitality and sports travel specialists Mike Burton Group, was awarded exclusive rights for the management of the Travel and Hospitality Programmes for Rugby World Cup 2011.