Rugby fans from all over the world are expected to travel to Dubai when the city plays host to the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens this November/December.
Official tour operator, dnata travel, has commissioned more overseas operators for 2012 than in any of the tournament’s previous 43 years, with visitors expected to come from as far away as the UK, Japan and Australia.
The multinational supporter-base in the stands adds to the intercontinental flavour on the pitch which is provided by the best rugby sevens teams from across the globe.
National teams from countries such as New Zealand, England, Samoa and debutantes Spain will vie for the coveted Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens Trophy.
The Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens is one of Dubai’s most prestigious sporting events and attracted over 95,000 visitors in 2011, with 20% of those coming from outside the UAE. It is also one of its most successful exports and in 2011 was broadcast to 74 million homes in 148 countries across the globe.
The Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens also provides a first rate family experience as well as a multicultural one. In 2011, over 30% of the 95,000 attendees came as a family.
Tickets for this year’s tournament go on sale on Monday 1st October 2012.
Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens tournament director, Jim Fitzsimons, said: “We are immensely proud of the number of overseas visitors that attend the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens and that number has increased year-on-year as the reputation of the event has grown”.
“That we are attracting more fans from around the world is testament to the world-class rugby sevens played at the tournament, and also to the appeal it has for people of all ages right across the globe.”
“dnata’s appointment again this year to manage the Official Tour Operator programme for the tournament is a reflection of the strong reputation we have established in the sports travel market,” said Majid Al Mulla, Divisional Vice President for dnata’s travel business.
“Our extensive network of partners worldwide will enable us to widen the distribution of ticket packages and bring more overseas spectators to the tournament, building the popularity of the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens still further”.
