South African rugby legend Bob Skinstad is working with Tourism New Zealand to help promote New Zealand to rugby fans in South Africa for Rugby World Cup 2011.
The former Springbok turned sports presenter, entrepreneur, blogger and tweeter arrived in New Zealand on Thursday 8 July for this Saturday's Tri Nations test, and Tourism New Zealand has seized the opportunity to give him a taste of what's in store for rugby fans in 2011.
Travelling with a crew from South Africa's leading sports broadcaster SuperSport, Skinstad's 12-day visit will be used to raise awareness of Rugby World Cup 2011 in South Africa.
On Friday, he bungy jumped off Auckland's Sky Tower before trying his hand at sailing an ex-America's Cup Yacht on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour.
Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler says South Africans will be an important source market for visitors during the World Cup, with around 10,000 South Africans expected to travel here for the Tournament.
Media coverage around Skinstad's visit will kick off a promotional push by Tourism New Zealand running through July and August, in the lead up to the All Blacks/Springboks Tri Nations test at Soccer City in Johannesburg on 21 August, and the launch of individual ticket sales in South Africa in early September.
"South Africa is a rugby-mad nation and, as defending World Cup Champions, there will be plenty of interest in the World Cup. Our challenge is to persuade rugby fans that it will be worth the trip to New Zealand to follow their team, and encourage them to book travel," says Kevin Bowler.
"We're making the most of this opportunity to showcase the best of New Zealand through the experiences of a rugby legend, and someone who is well respected in South Africa. This project is an ideal way to show South Africans everything New Zealand has to offer them if they come out here for the Tournament in 2011."
Footage from Bob Skinstad's visit will be used to create a series of mini-documentaries that will broadcast on SuperSport in the lead up to the Tri Nations test in Johannesburg on 21 August. Footage will also be used online on popular rugby blogs, YouTube and on Tourism New Zealand's website.
Follow-up media interviews with Skinstad will also help boost New Zealand's profile when he returns home to South Africa and in the lead up to the 21 August test match.
This work builds on results already achieved by Tourism New Zealand through its work with well-known rugby personalities in other key rugby markets; and links well with further activity the organisation has planned to promote New Zealand as the host nation for Rugby World Cup 2011 and boost ticket sales.
Download high-resolution images from Bob Skinstad's day sailing with Sail NZ on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour at http://www.tourismnewzealand.com/media/download-images-from-the-campaign .
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