Rugby World Cup 2011

New Zealand fulfilled its promise to be a 'stadium of four million' for the Rugby World Cup 2011 welcoming a staggering 133,200 international rugby fans.

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has acknowledged Tourism New Zealand's involvment at the 2012 PATA Grand and Gold Awards, awarding the PATA Grand Award - Marketing to Tourism New Zealand for its marketing campaign.

The IRB Rugby World Cup (RWC) is one of the largest sporting events in the world. Held every four years, the inaugural tournament took place in New Zealand and Australia in 1987 and was hosted in New Zealand in 2011.

The eyes of the world were on New Zealand as host nation, and gave the country an opportunity to raise its profile on the global stage as a holiday and event destination. In December 2011, it was confirmed that 133,200 international rugby fans and international media visited New Zealand for the tournament against an initial target of 85,000.

As well as the spectacle of thetournament, 2011 saw a national festival where locals and visitors alike experienced the best New Zealand has to offer.

  • Tourism New Zealand's Role

    Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) offered enormous opportunity for New Zealand's tourism industry. Tourism New Zealand focussed on making sure rugby fans considered New Zealand not just in...

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    The Giant Rugby Ball

    The giant inflatable Rugby Ball is an unique venue and destination experience designed to gain huge exposure for New Zealand as the host of Rugby World Cup 2011. Since...

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  • RWC 2011 News

    Find out what Tourism New Zealand and the other organising agencies are doing to prepare for the biggest sporting event in New Zealand's history.

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