Kiwis keen for cup action

The nation is getting behind the Rugby World Cup latest research shows, with almost three out of four Kiwis planning to watch the matches.

According to the latest Fly Buys/Colmar Brunton Mood of the New Zealand Traveller Survey released by the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA), 71% of New Zealanders are intending to watch some games either in person, on screen, or both. The poll found 70% of Kiwis will be watching games on television and 15% will be attending live games.

Fly Buys chief executive Lance Walker says the poll demonstrates Kiwis don’t want to miss this important event in New Zealand’s history.

“In our living rooms or right there at the stadium, New Zealanders are embracing the chance to experience the World Cup in our own country. Whether we are watching the All Blacks, or the visiting nations play it’s the chance of a lifetime for many of us to enjoy a world-class event that’s taking place in our own backyard,” he says.

Mr Walker says the poll found fansare happy to travel to matches to be part of the action.

“With the semi-finals and finals in Auckland, 32% of those travelling to games are heading there. Hamilton is the next most popular destination with 27% of fans travelling there, followed by 20% going to Rotorua.

“While most of us are keen to watch on-field action, not many Kiwis know about the off-field celebrations that will be taking place during the tournament,” Mr Walker says.

The research revealed that only 10% of Kiwis had heard of the Real NZ festival –a nationwide festival of events run alongside the RWC incorporating arts, culture, food, heritage, and more, to celebrate all things New Zealand.

TIA Chief Executive Tim Cossar says there will be plenty of exciting events taking place alongside Rugby World Cup 2011, making this a great time for New Zealanders to travel around their own country.

Additional information:

• 5% of Kiwis are planning to attend one game, 5% are planning to attend two games, 2% three games, 1% four games and 2% five or more.

• Of the 50% attending live games who plan to travel, 32% are going to Auckland, 27% to Hamilton, 20% to Rotorua, 18% to Wellington, 14% to New Plymouth, 13% to Dunedin, 11% to Palmerston North, 10% to Napier, 7% to Nelson, 6% to Whangarei and 2% to Invercargill.

• 69% of New Zealanders intending to travel to live games will take overnight trips – of those 69% plan to stay in private homes or bachs, 20% will stay in motels/motor lodges/B&B and apartments, 16% in hotels, 6% will stay in stay in motor homes/camps, 6% are renting homes or bachs and 5% will stay at a high end hotel or lodge.

• Of those travelling to games, 91% are taking their own transport, 16% are going by plane, 5% taking rental transport, 3% are going by ferry, 3% by train and 2% by coach.