NZI Sevens To Kick Off Busy Months for Capital

NZI Sevens To Kick Off Busy Months for Events Capital

Tills in bars, cafes, restaurants and retailers will be running hot in Wellington next weekend as the NZI Sevens kick off a busy few months in the events capital.

Positively Wellington Tourism General Manager Marketing Sarah Meikle says the city will be close to, if not sold out next weekend.

“Many accommodation providers are near capacity and expecting to sell out by next week, if not before. There will be those who have the odd room free though so if people are having trouble finding accommodation I suggest they browse availability on WellingtonNZ.com or ask at the Wellington i-SITE Visitor Centre.”

An economic impact report last year showed total new spend in the city was a whopping $15.6 million during the NZI Sevens, with almost $7.5m being spent in hospitality businesses, over $2m on retail and $2.7m on accommodation

This would come as a welcome reminder to local businesses. While the capital is yet to see the decline other regions are experiencing as a result of the economic recession, the future is still uncertain, Ms Meikle says.

“While some fans might be more wary of their wallets this year, the weekend is still set to be one of Wellington’s biggest. People go to the NZI Sevens to let go and have a great time – and it’s worth every cent.”

The next few months are very busy in the capital, with the 10th anniversaries of the NZI Sevens and the Cuba Street Carnival, the newly revamped Wellington Jazz Festival, Vodafone Homegrown Music Festival, Kings of Leon concert, Monet and the Impressionists exhibition at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, and a number of national and international sports events.

“A varied, exciting calendar is vital to Wellington’s continued success as it gives people tangible, time-specific reasons to visit,” Ms Meikle says.

ENDS

Notes for editors:

NZI Sevens Economic Impact. Source: Report by McDermott Miller Ltd

 During the 2008 NZI Sevens total new spend in the city was $15.6 million

 This was an increase of 81% on the $8.6m recorded for the 2001 tournament and well beyond the expected economic benefit of between $8-10m

 This calculates to almost $7.5m in hospitality businesses, over $2m in retailers and $2.7m on accommodation.

 98% of spectators rated their experience of the NZI Sevens in Wellington as either ‘very good’ or ‘good’

 54% of the audience comes from outside Wellington region, including 28% from Auckland, 5% international and 48% from the rest of NZ

 The report calculated over 45,000 people came to Wellington because of the NZI Sevens. (nb: capacity audience is just over 35,000, but many come for the city atmosphere, some share tickets etc)

 Sevens-goers are repeat visitors, with 58% of spectators having attended a previous Wellington tournament.

Street Closures and Liquor Bans During NZI Sevens

 Courtenay Place will be closed to through traffic – including buses and taxis – from 5pm Saturday February 7, and will reopen at 6am on the Sunday morning.

 There will be temporary bus stops on Wakefield and Taranaki streets, and temporary taxi stands on Wakefield Street between Blair and Allen streets. People will also be able to get a cab home at the end of the night from Cambridge Terrace between Courtenay Place and Tennyson Street.

 The liquor ban will remain throughout the central city over the NZI Sevens weekend. Anyone wanting an alcoholic drink will find plenty of bars and restaurants in the Courtenay Place area to cater to their needs.

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