More overseas visitors expected for Rugby World Cup

RNZ 2011 chief executive Martin Snedden says an extra 10,000 overseas visitors are now expected for the Rugby World Cup. Photo / Richard Robinson

An extra 10,000 overseas visitors are now expected for the Rugby World Cup, which kicks off in one month, organisers said today.

Previously it was estimated that 85,000 overseas visitors would flood into New Zealand over the six-week tournament.

But RNZ 2011 chief executive Martin Snedden said that was now expected to be 95,000 from over 100 countries, based on an increase in offshore ticket sales.

"This tournament brings multiple economic benefits to our country as well as providing a priceless opportunity to show the best of New Zealand to the world," Mr Snedden said.

More than 30,000 fans are expected from across the Tasman, 25,000 fans from the UK & Ireland and another 10,000 from France, Mr Snedden said.

"It's also terrific to see good numbers coming from the Americas, and that USA, Canada and Argentina will be well supported. Our estimates suggest 10,000 from these countries."

Forty four per cent are thought to be first-time visitors to New Zealand.

Ticket sales were also on track and had climbed to 1.08 million, pushing up revenue to $234 million - $34.5 million or 230,000 tickets short of the final target.

"This is clearly achievable," Mr Snedden said.

"Fans have snapped up more than 180,000 tickets since the final ticketing phase launched on July 4.

"Over the last 10 weeks or so, since the 100 days to go milestone, nearly 300,000 tickets, worth $65m, have been sold."

He said a flurry of ticket sales were expected in the final build-up to the tournament.

The Bledisloe Cup test last weekend also appears to have boosted the world's appetite for rugby; $1 million in tickets have been sold since the game.

The Government, who is paying for the tournament, is expected to take a $39 million hit, but wider economic benefits have been estimated in the hundreds of millions.

"Our message to fans is, get in now as many matches will sell out. Time is really running out. While tickets are available to most matches, there is limited availability in many categories," Mr Snedden said.

He also said the trial runs for Eden Park and the new Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin could barely have gone better.

"We identified some fine tuning we will need to do as expected, but by and large the venue and plans passed the test with flying colours and the fans appear to have endorsed that view."

Meanwhile RNZ 2011's polling also confirms growing interest in RWC 2011.

"Nationally, 88 per cent of New Zealanders say they are interested to some degree in RWC and despite all of the challenges and disappointments for the people of Christchurch this year, they remain one of the most interested of the regions with 42 per cent of those polled in Christchurch saying they are very interested."

The Colmar Brunton poll of 750 people was carried out in June 2011.