RUGBY WORLD CUP 2011, NEW ZEALAND - Record Sales From England Fans

England Rugby Travel is an Official Travel Agent of Rugby World Cup 2011, New Zealand, and the official travel company for England Rugby and for fans looking to follow Martin Johnson’s team next year. Record numbers of England supporters have booked their places on official supporter travel packages after just six weeks of the official ticket-inclusive travel packages being on sale.

The most popular travel package being sold is the quarter-finals to Final option, which is 19 nights and includes some of New Zealand’s greatest scenery as well as two back-to-back quarter-finals in Christchurch, a semi-finals weekend and the Final in Auckland.

Martin Johnson, England team manager, is delighted with the response from the fans, with the Tournament just under 17 months away.

The former England captain said: “The Rugby World Cup is now the world’s third largest sporting event and because it only happens once every four years it is special.  New Zealand is a nation steeped in rugby history and it will be buzzing so it’s great to learn that so many England fans are planning on heading out for what promises to be a great Tournament. They want to be able to say ‘I was there’ and we are delighted that they are going to be.”

Paul Vaughan, managing director of England Rugby Travel, added: “The response from England fans has been superb. To sell more than 1,200 tickets in travel packages in the first six weeks is a great achievement and demonstrates the interest and demand from the supporters.”

Francis Lobo from the East Midlands is one of the England fans who has already booked a full travel package for the last pool fixture between England Vs Scotland through to the Final.

Commenting on his booking, he said: “Ever since I went to New Zealand on a very short business trip some years ago, it has been a dream to return to that beautiful country and what better way to do it than to combine it with a Rugby World Cup in the home of the famous All Blacks, where rugby is almost a religion.

“Watching England play South Africa in Perth in the 2003 Rugby World Cup and the atmosphere that game generated, only helped to whet the appetite. I decided to forgo France in 2007 and started saving-up for Rugby World Cup 2011.

“As a passionate rugby supporter of the Leicester Tigers and England, it was a simple decision, once I saw the packages from England Rugby Travel. The full package gives me the choice of very good hotels, great locations that will enable me not only to see the wonderful and contrasting scenery around New Zealand but also to absorb its very diverse culture, visit a few wineries, have time to relax between matches and finally, tickets for all the important matches of Rugby World Cup2011.”
 
Martin Snedden, chief executive for Tournament organiser Rugby New Zealand 2011, said New Zealanders would be opening their arms to England fans.

"Our promise to all visitors is that you won't just get to see thrilling Rugby in a nation passionate about the Game, you will be able to enjoy the very best of our culture and natural heritage and our great Kiwi hospitality.

"We will be celebrating more than just Rugby over six weeks as every part of the country will hold a festival to showcase their wonderful food, wine, landscapes and other attractions so I have no doubt England fans will leave with very special memories of their time here."

As an Official Travel Agent of Rugby World Cup 2011, New Zealand, England Rugby Travel has secured a host of centrally located hotels that means the England fans have a choice of four star-plus rated hotels for the high profile weekends.

England Rugby Travel is offering two types of package for fans. The ‘full travel’ packages include officially allocated match tickets, international return flights, internal travel within New Zealand, return airport/hotel transfers, a designated coach captain for the duration of the tour and much more.

The ‘explorer’ package includes a return international flight, officially allocated match tickets and the opportunity to include a motorhome.

We’ve caught up with some more of the fantastic supporters who have booked their place on the plane to New Zealand, as well as their seat in the stadium for what promises to be one of the greatest sporting events ever!

John Foster is travelling with his wife on a package that takes in the semi-finals to Final with a break in Queenstown in between. Commenting on why he booked with us for Rugby World Cup 2011, he said: “We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Paris for the Rugby World Cup, and said we would go to New Zealand as we have never been there. Combined with the fact that we’re going to visit my brother in Brisbane on the way back, it was a great opportunity!”

And why did he choose England Rugby Travel? John, who is attending his second Rugby World Cup, added: “We went with England Rugby Travel to Paris in 2007 and enjoyed the trip immensely. I have been impressed with every aspect of the organisation and quality throughout. This means we had to book with you again with complete confidence.”

Colin Barber has booked the full travel package from the quarter-finals through to the Final and commenting on his choice, he said: “I wanted a hassle free organised trip with like minded people and the guarantee of genuine rugby match tickets.

“I was lucky enough to go to one match at the last Rugby World Cup in France and saw three matches when the Tournament was held in England including the two semi-final matches at Twickenham.”

John Tilson has booked one of our ‘Explorer’ packages that give fans the freedom and flexibility to confirm the return international flights and official match tickets, and make his own arrangements in between. The 22 year-old has also upgraded to one of our superb motorhomes which allows him to travel around the country.

“This is the trip of a lifetime for us.  My partner and I will have been together five years on the day after the Final.  We will both (hopefully) have completed our respective professional qualifications by October 2011, and what better way to celebrate!

“With Rugby World Cup 2015 being in England, by the time the 2019 competition comes around who knows where we will be and what commitments we may have. Finally, it’s New Zealand!  Couldn't really say no...”

And why did John chose to travel with England Rugby Travel? “I have been a member of the England Rugby Supporters Club for the last couple of years, and receive regular emails detailing the trips.  It seems well organised and the fact it was all in a package appealed to us, particularly the idea of having a motorhome which means we can be flexible with our plans.”

Join all of these England fans by booking one of our wide range of official Rugby World Cup 2011, New Zealand travel packages now!