THE Welsh Rugby Union and Gullivers Sports Travel have signed a new long-term agreement which will continue to benefit both supporters and the game in Wales until 2031.
A partnership with the UK’s leading, and longest established, multi-sport tour operator was first launched in 2014 and was renewed in 2019.
But the latest multi-million-pound agreement breaks new ground, seeing the two organisations collaborating even more closely, ensuring proceeds generated from the sale of official WRU travel packages through Gullivers Sports Travel continue to be re-invested into Welsh rugby.
In tandem with the new arrangement with Gullivers Sports Travel, Events International has extended its partnership with Welsh rugby to provide official WRU off-site hospitality for the same period.
Both deals ensure proceeds generated from official tickets and travel packages are fed back into the game in Wales at all levels.
“We are delighted to have agreed a long-term extension to our partnership with the Welsh Rugby Union,” said Neil Salmon, Managing Director of Gullivers Sports Travel and Events International.
“Our staff take great pride in working with such a prestigious organisation and delivering for Welsh rugby fans. We look forward to continuing to develop our Official Supporter Travel and Official Off-site Hospitality programmes in partnership with the WRU.
“Looking ahead, we have a fantastic Autumn Nations Series in Cardiff this year and in 2023 we have a couple of pretty special Cardiff Guinness Six Nations matchdays to deliver with the visits of Ireland and England; and, of course, later in the year we’ll be looking after thousands of Welsh fans across France during Rugby World Cup 2023.”
The new agreement allows Wales supporters to follow the team every step of the way, be it the Wales tour to South Africa this summer, playing three Tests in Pretoria, Bloemfontein and then Cape Town, or when hosting New Zealand, Argentina and Australia – alongside Georgia – in Cardiff in the autumn.
Gullivers Sports Travel and Events International will continue to work with the WRU to provide money can’t buy experiences and offer fans a truly unforgettable experience when supporting Wales, ensuring they need not miss a pass, tackle, run, step or kick of the top class action, home or away.
With every Official Gullivers Sports Travel package purchased profits are ‘passed back’ into Welsh rugby, to support continued development at all levels from grassroots through to the professional game.
“Our new partnership means rugby fans will be able to access enhanced, unique and exclusive WRU packages delivered with the established expertise of Gullivers Sports Travel,” said WRU CEO Steve Phillips.
“Starting in South Africa, where Wales tour this summer, and moving to our Autumn Nations Series matches, to next year’s Guinness Six Nations and into the Rugby World Cup in France, Gullivers Sports Travel will be on hand to service every need of the travelling Wales supporter and to offer the very best of matchday experiences whether at home in Cardiff or for away matches.
“We are delighted with the new deal and the opportunity for Welsh rugby to benefit in this vibrant and thriving business is one which will pay significant dividends for the game over the next nine years.”
For access to travel and off-site hospitality check online –at https://gulliverstravel.co.uk/event/six-nations for Gullivers Sports Travel or https://eventsinternational.co.uk/event/six-nations for Events International.
