Rugby World Cup Decision Great News for Wellington

The confirmation that Wellington will host two quarter finals at the 2011 Rugby World Cup is great news but the region will need to start planning early to take full advantage of this opportunity according to the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce.

"Hosting the two matches will be good for Wellington businesses and will provide a welcome boost to the regional economy," said Chamber CEO Charles Finny.

"To really make the most of this opportunity, businesses will want to think creatively how to maximise the economic spin-offs from the matches. There will be opportunities across the board - not just in the hospitality sector.

"The region will need to ensure that visitors' needs can be acommodated and that the hospitality industry can cope with the influx. There will be four teams and their supporters in town over a short space of time. Wellington's visitor infrastructure is already near capacity, with accommodation tight at the best of times.

"The two quarterfinals have been estimated to bring $24 million to the Wellington region but it could be more than this in terms of flow-on benefits from increased visitor numbers, the raising of Wellington's profile and the 'feel-good' factor for Wellingtonians. The spin-offs will be be even greater if we get it right.

"Wellingtonians love this sort of occasion and they will get right behind it to ensure that this stage of the tournament is a great success.

"The decision to host the quarter finals in Wellington and Christchurch will also be good for New Zealand generally in that it will encourage greater flows of Rugby World Cup visitors to travel more widely across the country as a whole.

"Mayor Prendergast and the staff at Wellington City Council and other parties involved should be congratulated for helping to secure the succesful bid," Mr Finny concluded.

ENDS

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