Giant Rugby Ball goes down well in London
03 Dec 2008
Tourism New Zealand's giant inflatable rugby ball has gone down a treat in London with more than 7500 visitors, including royalty and VIPs.
The ball, which became a seven-day tourist attraction in prominent Potters Fields Park by London Tower Bridge, was host to a variety of functions and enjoyed high profile media coverage.
It has now been dismantled and will go in to storage awaiting shipment to its next, as yet undisclosed, destination.
Visitor attraction
During the London outing, the first since its debut beside the Eiffel Tower in Paris during the 2007 Rugby World Cup, the ball was visited by the Queen, Prince Phillip, Mayor of London Boris Johnson and New Zealand Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key.
Members of the public flocked to the ball to see the free audio visual presentation which took them on a dramatic virtual tour of New Zealand.
High profile functions hosted in the ball venue included the International Rugby Board pool draw for the 2011 Rugby World Cup which was attended by 200 media.
New Zealand highlights
The purpose of the ball was to highlight New Zealand's trade, immigration and tourism as well as its hosting of the Rugby World Cup in 2011, and Tourism Chief Executive George Hickton says the event has done its job.
"Putting an inflatable rugby ball up in one of the most visited areas of Central London just had to create attention. Many curious people - particularly with some interest in New Zealand - are drawn to the ball and once they have seen the audio visual show inside they come out talking about booking their ticket."
What do you say UK?
The rugby ball was the final activity in the first phase of a new Tourism New Zealand campaign in the UK called 'What Do You Say UK?'
"The inflatable rugby ball is edgy, it makes New Zealand stand out and it's different from the way other national tourism organisations promote their destinations. Competition is getting more fierce and we have to stay ahead of the game when it comes to promoting our country," Mr Hickton said.
Rugby World Cup hosts
The IRB's decision to use the ball as the venue for the Rugby World Cup pool draw provided a strong link to New Zealand as the next host of the Rugby World Cup in 2011.
"New Zealand has promised a stadium of four million when we host the 2011 Rugby World Cup and we are well down the track in planning an event that will be the best New Zealand can deliver for rugby fans," Mr Hickton said.
More information:
Fact file: NZ's giant rugby ball
2011 Rugby World Cup draw
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