Taking place from September 8 to October 28, the Rugby World Cup launches the sequence of major sporting events that will mark the attractiveness of Île-de-France in 2023 and 2024. Some 450,000 international visitors arrive in Île-de-France de-France to support their teams. They should generate up to 1.5 billion euros in economic benefits for the Region. 45% of ticket holders are international.
Major sporting events that will help to further promote the Ile-de-France region. ©Pixabay
Bookings over the period of the event from most of the countries participating in the Rugby World Cup are up sharply compared to 2022, in particular for New Zealanders (+308%), South Africans ( +267%), Australians (+148%) and Japanese (+130%). In a general way, the increase in reservations for the participating countries (+46%) is much stronger than it is for the destination as a whole (+21%). These customers with high economic potential will have a larger holiday budget than regular tourists (more than 1,000 euros per stay and per person). Most of them plan to come with family or friends.
45% of ticket holders are international
A total of 20 nations are involved in the competition. 45% of ticket holders are international, with the British, Australians, Japanese, New Zealanders, Argentines, South Africans in good position, but also Americans, Dutch, Germans, Swiss or Belgians. The Rugby World Cup represents “an opportunity to strengthen the attractiveness of Île-de-France, and to carry out actions to strengthen the influence of the region as an inspiring destination for the future, sustainable, and who knows combining heritage and innovation” as indicated in a press release by Choose Paris Region, the international attractiveness agency of the Île-de-France Region.
Indeed, the diversity of nationalities present makes it possible to strengthen relations with certain countries which have been a traditional source of investment for many years (United Kingdom, Germany, etc.) but also to develop the attractiveness of Île-de-France as a natural investment destination in Europe towards countries that are “new investors”: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa… This will strengthen the position of Île-de-France as a global investment hub.
E-learning capsules on each nation involved
In order to promote the attractiveness of the territory, Choose Paris Region has been mobilizing for several months to attract tourists from all over the world ahead of the event, with numerous specific actions undertaken in the participating countries. It is various specific awareness-raising and training actions carried out for tourism professionals and Ile-de-France Tourist Offices such as e-learning capsules on each nation involved. Or a free digital travel diary offered to visitors and accessible online, allowing access during the competition to more than 200 tourist information, to see – to do in Île-de-Francethe “RWC 2023 Special” roadbook in French and English. In partnership with France 2023, all ticket holders at the Stade de France received it. To note that the Visit Paris Region reception points at Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports are in the colors of the event. The Île-de-France region, land of major sporting events, is itself an official partner of the Rugby World Cup.
For Alexandra Dublanche, President of Choose Paris Region, “the launch of the 2023 Rugby World Cup marks the start of a period full of opportunities for Île-de-France in terms of attractiveness and tourism with, in sight, the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Choose Paris Region is fully mobilized to seize these opportunities in order to make our Region shine even more, and strengthen its position and its influence in the world”.
Atout France and the CRT Paris Ile-de-France also on the front
For its part, Atout France is not to be outdone. The EIG responsible for promoting France abroad, supports French tourism professionals to make France a champion destination for hospitality. The Paris Ile-de-France Regional Tourism Committee (CRT) and the Paris Ile-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) also called on the company ImageImages to optimize tourist reception during the Coupe of the Rugby World.
