NEWS

24 official travel agents (OTAs), 41  official travel authorised sub-agents, more than 280,000 tickets sold in 25 countries across all continents: the Rugby World Cup 2023 Travel Programme is an unprecedented success. Don’t wait any longer to book your Rugby World Cup 2023 travel package! There is less than 20% tickets available in this programme.

Two years ago, World Rugby, France 2023 and Groupe Couleur, exclusive global rights holder for the RWC 2023 Official Travel Programme, selected the official travel agents (OTAs) authorised to sell ticket-inclusive travel packages for Rugby World Cup France 2023. Since then, other players have been able to join the programme as official travel authorised sub-agents.

With only 5 months to go before the opening match, the Travel Programme has proven to be a global hit. Thousands of fans around the world have already booked their packages with an OTA and now less than 20% of these packages remain available for sale.

France 2023 Head of Hospitality and Travel Operations Jad Zoghbi said: “With more than 280,000 tickets sold by the OTAs, the figures exceed by far previous Rugby World Cups and demonstrate once again the international excitement surrounding this edition is unprecedented!”

65 official agents have been appointed across 25 countries. All of the major rugby territories are present, but new players are now taken part in the programme: Portugal, Kenya, Germany or United Arab Emirates.

Groupe Couleur’s Founder and President David Chevalier said: “ We are of course very proud of our OTAs sales. However, beyond this, we are extremely excited about all the experiences that are being proposed for Rugby World Cup France 2023. From specially chartered TGVs between Paris and Marseille for our Argentinian fans to unique itineraries in France’s most beautiful regions. The festivities will be everywhere and all the time. We are absolutely thrilled! ”

As the sales season comes to a close, the next few months will be dedicated to the final preparations for an unforgettable welcome.

Discover the world map of OTAs to book fast your travel package:
https://travel2023.rugbyworldcup.com/

Appointed by the Organising Committee as the exclusive global rights holder for the Rugby World Cup France 2023 Official Travel Programme, Groupe Couleur launched earlier this year a wide-ranging selection process for Official Travel Agents (OTAs).

More than 100 agencies applied from across the globe, reflecting Rugby World Cup’s status as one of the best-loved and must-attend sporting events on the planet.

Following a detailed analysis of applications, Groupe Couleur selected 22 agencies from 13 different countries. Many agencies selected come from established rugby territories including Japan, while China, Germany and the Netherlands have dedicated agents for the first time.

Reflecting a tournament that is capturing the imagination, more than 200,000 tickets have already been pre-ordered by the OTAs, a significant increase compared to Rugby World Cups 2015 and 2019. This bodes well for France 2023’s objective of attracting 600,000 foreign visitors in the country.

In addition to the commitment demonstrated by these agencies, they have pledged to contribute to the positive impact of Rugby World Cup France 2023 and to provide fans with unforgettable experiences in France that are environmentally friendly and respect local communities. Therefore, and for the first time, the OTAs will have access to a “bank of experiences” built in collaboration with local authorities, which will gather all the innovative sightseeing activities such as vineyards visits or cycling tours. Rugby World Cup France 2023’s positive impact will also translate into touristic impact for the host country.

World Rugby Chief Executive Officer Brett Gosper said: “The Official Travel Agent Programme has been one of the major success stories for Rugby World Cup, proving a hit for sports fans from around the world, delivering its unforgettable memories and exceptional experiences.”

“Following a very special Japanese tournament in 2019, enthusiasm for Rugby World Cup France 2023 is exceptionally strong, and we are delighted to see so many countries expressing interest in our showcase event. Starting today, fans can start preparing for their French experience.”

Claude Atcher, CEO of France 2023: “Because a Rugby World Cup is sometimes a trip of a lifetime, I am pleased with this public announcement of the Official Travel Agents. The OTAs will assist fans from all over the world plan their trip to France so that they can best support their teams during the matches and enjoy France’s sightseeing. It’s a very exciting perspective for everyone.”

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.”

Following the Rugby World Cup 2023 Draw on 14 December 2020 and the official match calendar announcement scheduled for the first quarter of 2021, Official Travel Agents will finalise their different packages.

Travel packages will go on sale in March 2021, but fans can already register their interest with the agency in their territory.

Official Travel Agents

• 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 of America: USA Eagles Tours

Groupe Couleur, exclusive global rights holder for the Rugby World Cup France 2023 Official Travel Programme, launched the process for the appointment of Official Travel Agents (OTAs) on 23 January 2020. Interested agencies had until 17 July 2020 to submit their completed applications to become Official Travel Agents.

More than 100 agencies from all over the world applied.

Provisional ticket orders by these agencies for the Rugby World Cup 2023 Official Travel Programme have already largely surpassed the numbers for both Rugby World Cup 2015 in England and Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan, both of which attracted huge numbers of tourists from abroad.

Groupe Couleur’s Founder and President David Chevalier said: “We’ve received applications from across the globe! As expected, many of them were from agencies in the major territories: 90% of past OTAs from the major territories applied to be an OTA again in 2023, and there were numerous applications from new agencies. We also had a considerable number of applications from countries where rugby culture is growing, including from several countries in Asia (notably Japan), as well as from several European countries such as Spain, Germany and the Netherlands. This high level of enthusiasm shows us that RWC 2023 is going to be a huge success; supporters from all over are clearly excited for the party that awaits them at RWC France 2023. We are absolutely thrilled!”

Rugby World Cup France 2023 CEO Claude Atcher said: “Three years before the tournament kicks off, I welcome the confidence that the international market is showing in France 2023 and the Travel Programme, even in the context of the current pandemic. There’s a desire for France 2023 and there is a need for it too. The next Rugby World Cup is already breaking records, and we are already saying a big ‘Welcome’ to rugby fans all over the world.”

Rugby World Cup 2023 Official Travel Agents will be appointed and notified in October 2020. Ticket-inclusive travel packages will go on sale in March 2021, and supporters across the world can start organising their Rugby World Cup 2023 trips two and a half years before the tournament takes place.

A leader in the major event travel marketplace, Groupe Couleur will manage the official travel agent appointment process, which kicks off with agents around the world invited to register their interest from now until 31 March, 2020.

Rugby World Cup 2023 Official Travel Agents will be appointed in September 2020, marking a major milestone for fans planning on attending rugby’s showcase event. Ticket-inclusive packages sales will be launched early 2021.

World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “France 2023 will be a magnificent event, projecting the sport to new audiences through its accessibility across all mediums.

“A key pillar of that ethos is the appointment of official travel agents and today’s announcement is an exciting and important milestone for fans – they can now start to plan their Rugby World Cup 2023 experience.”

France 2023 Organising Committee CEO Claude Atcher said: “After a very successful Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan, France is determined to perform at its absolute best and has already proudly shown its willingness to deliver a gigantic and memorable festival of rugby, friendship and culture.

“To achieve our goals, the France 2023 organising committee is committed to taking an innovative and new approach to major programmes, including the Official Travel Programme.”

Groupe Couleur Founder and President David Chevalier said: “My team and I are extremely proud of benefiting from World Rugby and the France 2023 organising committee’s full trust to contribute to this 10th edition’s success. We will deliver high quality services and a memorable experience to fans from around the world and share with them an authentic taste of French rugby and conviviality.”

Groupe Couleur will manage all operational responsibilities of the official travel programme, from appointing the official travel agents to delivering the tickets and ensuring all marketing guidelines are executed and monitored according to the objectives of the tournament under the auspices of the France 2023 Organising Committee and World Rugby.

Companies interested in registering for consideration in the recruitment process should visit www.groupecouleur.com/travelprogramme