KEY POINTS:
Kiwis aren't exactly flocking to Valencia to take in the spectacle of the Louis Vuitton Cup.
Specialist tour operator Williment Sports Travel opted not to offer an America's Cup package after receiving no inquiries.
Managing director Wendy Tawhai said: "We've had the odd corporate inquiry but, in terms of Joe Public, no [inquiries]."
By comparison, the company expected to send 2000 fans to the Rugby World Cup later in the year and about 1000 were expected to travel to the Bledisloe Cup test in Melbourne. A Warriors league tour and a trip to watch the V8s at Bathurst had also proved popular.
Another company, Sporting Tours, had provided "about eight" people with Valencia packages.
Manager Steve Kirwin said money was "not a factor" for those on exclusive packages, some of whom would spend up to $60,000 on a two-week holiday, including staying on one of only two cruise ships permitted to follow the yachts around the course.
Mr Kirwin said many Kiwis, including backpackers, would take in the America's Cup as part of a wider European tour.
The most popular time to travel was from June 1-12, for the finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup.
Among the rich-listers expected to follow the action in Spain are Gilda Kirkpatrick, Eric Watson, Colin Giltrap and Neville Crichton.
One of the highlights of the regatta's social calender will be the Louis Vuitton ball at a location that will only be revealed 24 hours beforehand. Louis Vuitton's New Zealand chief executive, Mark Brown, said the secrecy had nothing to do with keeping undesirables away."It's just to add to the moment," he said. "It's usually THE party of the regatta. It is lavish and has a strong element of surprise."
Previous balls have taken place at the Devonport naval base floating dock and the Civic Theatre.
"The guest list is a compilation of people involved in the event and also a lot of media stars and artists, people that make the news. It's really a combination of people from all walks of life."
Pressed on who would be attending on May 8, Mr Brown replied: "I really can't say."
He also believed plenty of Kiwis would be travelling to Spain for yachting's glamour event.
"We hear lots are going over. People come into our store and tell us they are going, and around the yacht clubs there is a lot of interest.
"I think there'll be a strong New Zealand contingent in Valencia over the next couple of months."
