All eyes on WA as Rugby World Cup 2003 attracts more visitors than expected

17/10/03
The Rugby World Cup 2003 looks set to draw more visitors to Western Australia than expected, providing an even greater boost to the State's tourism industry.
Tourism Minister Bob Kucera said the city was chock-a-block full on the eve of the blockbuster Pool match between England and South Africa tomorrow night (Saturday).
Mr Kucera said the sell-out match at Subiaco Oval was expected to draw an international television audience in the millions.
"The eyes of the world will be on Perth tomorrow night," he said.
"In addition to this major international media exposure, thousands of interstate and international visitors have travelled to Perth for the rugby, providing a boost to the local tourism industry.
"Thirty per cent of the tickets the Australian Rugby Union has sold for the matches in Perth were to people from the Eastern States, while thousands more were sold overseas.
"We had anticipated 5,000 interstate and overseas visitors for the five Perth matches of Rugby World Cup 2003. However, with about 7,000 tickets sold interstate alone, we expect to surpass this figure."
More than 4.5 million viewers in the United Kingdom watched last weekend's match between England and Georgia at Subiaco Oval. International television media have been supplied with footage of Western Australian tourism attractions to incorporate into their broadcasts.
"Local Perth communities have gotten into the spirit of Rugby World Cup 2003, showing strong support for Georgia, Samoa, Uruguay, South Africa and England," Mr Kucera said.
"The teams have been out and about around Perth - England have visited Cottesloe Beach, Samoa have trained at Scarborough Beach and Joondalup, Uruguay have been spotted in South Perth and Georgia have spent time with their local supporters out in Subiaco as well as visiting Fremantle, AQWA and Perth Zoo over the last week.
"Securing events such as the Rugby World Cup 2003, which brings thousands of new visitors to the city, is one way in which we contribute to the growth of tourism and the creation of jobs in WA."
The International Rugby Board and the Australian Rugby Union are proudly staging Rugby World Cup 2003. The tournament is the biggest international sporting event for the year.

Minister's office: 213 7000