Four Aussie travel agencies are among 22 that have been selected from across the world to sell official ticket-inclusive travel packages for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
Groupe Couleur, which is overseeing the event’s official travel program, received over 100 applications from agencies from across the world to become official travel agents (OTAs), with the selection process running from January to July 2020.
The process saw the agencies whittled down to 22 for 13 different countries, several of which will have an OTA for the first time.
Gullivers Sport Travel, Keith Prowse Travel, Sportsnet Holidays and Wallabies Travel are the four successful agencies from Australia.
Daniel Morahan, managing director of Keith Prowse Travel, said: “We are so excited to be heading back to France to deliver more incredible rugby experiences for our customers.
“France is an exceptional host country and offers people the chance to experience not only the electrifying atmosphere of the game and celebrations, but also the beautiful French cuisine, stunning landmarks and sophisticated culture.
“We’ve been taking customers to Rugby World Cup events across the world for years now, and we look forward to be doing it again in 2023.”
You can check out the full list of OTAs for the global sporting event below:
Argentina: Tower Travel
Australia: Gullivers Sport Travel, Keith Prowse Travel, Sportsnet Holidays, Wallabies Travel
China/Hong Kong: BH Hospitality
Germany: P1 Travel
France: Couleur Rugby
Ireland: Killester Travel
Japan: Nippon Travel Agency, STH Japan, Tobu Top Tours
New Zealand: All Blacks Tours
The Netherlands: P1 Travel
South Africa: Edusport, SA Rugby Travel, Sportsnation Travel
Spain: VB Sports by Grupo Viajabien
United Kingdom: England Rugby Travel, Gullivers Sports Travel, MSG Tours, Sportbreaks.com
United States: USA Eagles Tours
Groupe Couleur founder and president David Chevalier said: “Our entire team is incredibly proud to present this list of travel agents, but our work isn’t over yet.
“Additional agencies from several other new territories from the five continents will be added to the list in the following months, and this diversity will make Rugby World Cup France 2023 a truly unique and global event.”
And, for the first time, the program’s OTAs will have access to a ‘bank of experiences’ (BEX) built in collaboration with France’s local authorities.
They include cooking classes, fine dining, ranch visits, private yacht parties, wine tastings, and even parties with stars of French rugby clubs.
BEX director Fanny Debrun described the new service as a “truly innovative” concept.
“Three years before the event, OTAs have access to guaranteed stocks and prices for transportation, accommodation, staff, and other trip components that will go into creating their travel packages, but also have access to a variety of tours and activities that span all across France, with a particular focus on wine, gastronomy, local rugby and the diversity that France’s various regions have to offer,” she said.
Over the coming months, OTAs will build their travel packages, before finalising them upon the release of the RWC 2023 draw. Packages will go on sale in March 2021, but rugby fans can already indicate their interest to the OTA in their territory.
