Auckland launches New Zealand Helpdesk for Rugby World Cup 2011 visitors
Friday 15 October 2010, 4:33PM
By Tourism Auckland
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Tourism Auckland has launched a Helpdesk for visitors planning their trip to New Zealand for next year’s Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011).
The launch follows Prime Minister John Key’s urge to the country’s tourism industry to provide value for money accommodation to international visitors.
At a Tourism Auckland industry event yesterday Mr Key encouraged all accommodation providers to help New Zealand maintain its excellent reputation as a tourist destination.
“The message we want to send to potential visitors is that we will have plenty of accommodation available next year, and there will be something for all budgets,” he said.
The New Zealand Helpdesk email is info@nzhelpdesk.com and people in Australia, United Kingdom, South Africa and the United States can also get in touch via a 24-hour freephone number.
There will be a strong relationship between the Helpdesk and New Zealand’s wider network of i-SITE visitor information centres.
Tourism Auckland Chief Executive, Graeme Osborne, says the New Zealand Helpdesk is simply an extension of Tourism Auckland’s existing services.
“We already book travel arrangements for visitors beyond their experience in Auckland, so it’s natural to offer this service for RWC 2011 visitors.”
It’s all about giving our visitors 100% Pure hospitality even before they set foot on our shores,” says Osborne.
The Helpdesk will support people with everything from booking accommodation and arranging transport to ideas about what to see and do in each destination.
“Whether a visitor is following their team around the country for a month or flying in for one match, the Helpdesk team can help book a full itinerary or provide advice for the independent traveller,” says Osborne.
The New Zealand Helpdesk 24-hour freephone numbers are: Australia - 1800 888 454; UK - 0808 234 9376; South Africa - 0800 983 893; US - 1888 581 1891 and New Zealand - 0800 225 599. People in other countries can call - 0064 9 367 6009.