The deal with the UK’s second largest leisure travel group is great news for Welsh rugby fans as more tickets to Wales’ home internationals will now be released via the new official match break packages – which include a top-price match ticket at the Millennium Stadium and an overnight stay in one of Cardiff’s city-centre hotels for home matches.
Travel packages are available now from £139 per person at www.thomascooksport.com for the 2010 Autumn Series at the home of Welsh rugby, when Warren Gatland’s men face the top three teams in world rugby – Australia, South Africa and New Zealand – and the Rugby World Cup 2011 Pool D opponents Fiji, themselves positioned just one place behind Wales in 10th spot in the IRB World Rankings.
Travelling supporters will benefit during the 2011 RBS 6 Nations, with match packages available immediately for all Wales’ away fixtures, starting with Scotland on Saturday 12 February, priced at £249 per person for a minimum two-night stay.
And it’s not just rugby matches that fans can benefit from – Thomas Cook will be launching the WRU Holiday Club, allowing fans to receive a guaranteed discount on package holidays and charter flights booked through Thomas Cook and Going Places high street stores.
Danny Talbot, managing director of Thomas Cook Sport said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Welsh rugby through this partnership and we’re looking forward to working with the Welsh Rugby Union to offer exclusive deals and opportunities for fans.”
Thomas Cook are the latest blue chip company to partner with the WRU, following the multi-million pound three-year shirt sponsorship deal with Admiral which starts this season and WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis is delighted that Wales will face the top teams in world rugby at the Millennium Stadium in November with the backing of two FTSE listed companies.
“This is fantastic news for our fans, they will benefit from the full range and expertise of service offered by Thomas Cook as they follow Wales around the world as well as picking up some great discounts for their own travel plans,” said Mr Lewis.
“Everyone in rugby knows that the Welsh supporters are some of the best and most loyal groups of fans in the game and this new partnership with Thomas Cook will ensure they are well looked after as they follow their team around the globe.
“The WRU is attracting interest from some of the biggest companies in the world market-place; we are developing an impressive list of partners reflecting the high quality of our business and of our rugby product and Thomas Cook represent the latest addition.”
Welsh rugby supporters who take part in trips to the Rugby World Cup in 2011 and Lions Tour packages will also be able to win ‘money can’t buy’ experiences – including winning their own training session with WRU coaches and attending squad training sessions where they can see the likes of Blues, Wales and Lions superstar Jamie Roberts in action.
“Everyone knows how important the fans are to the players, as well as the game of rugby in general,” said Roberts.
“There’s nothing like looking up from the pitch to a sea of red filling the stands at away matches and hearing the throngs of travelling support at anthem time it can really set you up for what is to come.
“It makes such a difference to know your fans are right behind you especially when you are on the road as we are for three of our five 6 Nations matches this season, so it will be all the more important to know that the fans will be looked after.”
Wales skills coach and former international and British & Irish Lion Neil Jenkins added: “I’ve been all over the world through rugby and it’s the travelling and the camaraderie with fans which is such an integral part of the sport we all know and love.
“It’s comforting to know that there is a company of the stature of Thomas Cook who will be there to look after the fans and our own friends and family when we are out on the road and experiencing all the inevitable highs and lows of the seasons to come.”
