Ebookers secures 2003 Rugby World Cup deal


17 Dec 2002

Pan-European online travel agency Ebookers has been chosen as the official overseas travel agency for the 2003 Rugby World Cup, which will be held in Australia.

Publicly-listed on the London Stock Exchange, Ebookers negotiates discount airfares with more than 120 airlines and accommodation with 20,000 hotels worldwide.

As part of its agreement with the International Rugby Board, the company will sell match tickets on its website from January, packaged with a range of flights, hotel and car hire products at discount prices, said Rose Kervick, managing director of Ebookers’ Irish subsidiary, Ebookers.ie.

The Rugby World Cup matches will be played at 10 destinations across Australia over 44 days, attracting an estimated 40,000 international visitors.

The Irish subsidiary of Ebookers was launched in January 2000 and has since grown its business by over 300pc. The company plans for further expansion in Ireland, including acting as the European hub for online marketing and website design for the overall Ebookers group. The company has over 75 people working in Dublin covering everything from marketing and design to selling airfares, accommodation, car hire and insurance.

By John Kennedy