PM talks up Rugby World Cup visitor numbers

GEARING UP: Yarrows Stadium in New Plymouth is nearing the completion of its makeover for Rugby World Cup 2011.

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A day after the man in charge of delivering a successful Rugby World Cup appeared to play down how many visitors the event may draw, Prime Minister John Key has ramped up expectations.

On Wednesday, Rugby World Cup 2011 chief executive Martin Snedden said the official prediction of 85,000 international tourists visiting was a "guestimate" and that New Zealand would be "doing well" if 60,000 to 80,000 arrived for the event.

Yesterday, Mr Key said such was the draw of New Zealand as a rugby tourism destination that the current 85,000 forecast should be viewed as a bare minimum.

Speaking to a press conference at this week's Trenz tourism conference in Auckland, Mr Key told international media: "The big focus from a tourism perspective is to showcase New Zealand to an audience that we believe will attract a minimum of 85,000 international tourists, and potentially significantly more."

Asked to elaborate on his confidence in exceeding the forecasts, Mr Key said: "In my view, New Zealand represents the holy grail of rugby world cups. We are the place where international people want to come and watch rugby because of our historical dominance in the sport and the well-earned reputation of New Zealand as a great place to come and visit."

Mr Key said the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour showed the attraction of New Zealand for international rugby fans and that early World Cup ticket sales were promising.

On Wednesday, Rugby Travel and Hospitality (RTH), the company charged with selling tickets direct to official travel agents and hospitality package providers, said it had sold 85,000 tickets since the start of February. The figure, which excludes the public ballot system, is 3000 more than were sold to agents for the entire event in Australia in 2003 and is 15 per cent ahead of where the 2007 event in France was at the same point.

"I think we'll not only host a successful world cup I think you'll see people flock to New Zealand."

Mr Snedden, a former cricket international said this week that the organisation he headed was already under "extreme pressure" to ensure the Cup was successful, even before Mr Key made comments pointing out that the next general election is shortly after the tournament final.

Mr Key, who is also the Minister of Tourism, said he intended to continue in the dual role into the future.

- © Fairfax NZ News