Ship solution to Cardiff bed shortage
The organisers of one of Cardiff’s biggest social events have come up with a novel way of solving the city’s Six Nations bed shortages.
Transport tycoon Clayton Jones is in negotiations to dock a cruise liner at the city’s waterfront and use it as an extra hotel for rugby fans.
The ship, which will arrive from the United States of America, will dock at Cardiff around the time of the final 2010 Six Nations Wales game against Italy on March 20.
That will coincide with the 2010 CeltFest, when up to 4,500 fans are expected to watch the match on a giant screen at Cardiff International Arena.
The next CeltFest is at the Cardiff International Arena on November 7 and will feature a line-up including Max Boyce, Rhydian Roberts and rugby star Shane Williams.
More CeltFests are also booked for every Welsh home game in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Sports fans have long voiced concerns about the lack of beds in Cardiff on international rugby match weekends and the prospect of massive price hikes during the rugby tournament.
The plan is to draw American tourists to Wales by sea. While they are on organised tours of the country, some of the ship’s rooms could be rented out to visiting rugby fans.
Former Assembly heritage minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas is in discussions about organising those tours.
Pontypridd-based Mr Jones, CeltFest’s chairman who recently sold his transport company Shamrock for £10m, said: “We are progressing this matter with great vigour.
“We think it’s a gap in our tourism itinerary and something we can really push forward and get a considerable amount of interest in, especially with the Ryder Cup next year.
“Now is the time to do it. We’ve got to build on Welsh appeal and one of the biggest appeals is rugby internationals.
“There is a huge bed shortage at international time and there is a premium on rates. We can reduce those to make it a more attractive proposition.”
CeltFest takes place on November 7 and will be showing the Wales v New Zealand game on a giant screen. Tickets cost £25. To book, call 029 2022 4488 or visit www.celtfest.com
Press release issued by Robert Lloyd on behalf of CeltFest.
Transport tycoon Clayton Jones is in negotiations to dock a cruise liner at the city’s waterfront and use it as an extra hotel for rugby fans.
The ship, which will arrive from the United States of America, will dock at Cardiff around the time of the final 2010 Six Nations Wales game against Italy on March 20.
That will coincide with the 2010 CeltFest, when up to 4,500 fans are expected to watch the match on a giant screen at Cardiff International Arena.
The next CeltFest is at the Cardiff International Arena on November 7 and will feature a line-up including Max Boyce, Rhydian Roberts and rugby star Shane Williams.
More CeltFests are also booked for every Welsh home game in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Sports fans have long voiced concerns about the lack of beds in Cardiff on international rugby match weekends and the prospect of massive price hikes during the rugby tournament.
The plan is to draw American tourists to Wales by sea. While they are on organised tours of the country, some of the ship’s rooms could be rented out to visiting rugby fans.
Former Assembly heritage minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas is in discussions about organising those tours.
Pontypridd-based Mr Jones, CeltFest’s chairman who recently sold his transport company Shamrock for £10m, said: “We are progressing this matter with great vigour.
“We think it’s a gap in our tourism itinerary and something we can really push forward and get a considerable amount of interest in, especially with the Ryder Cup next year.
“Now is the time to do it. We’ve got to build on Welsh appeal and one of the biggest appeals is rugby internationals.
“There is a huge bed shortage at international time and there is a premium on rates. We can reduce those to make it a more attractive proposition.”
CeltFest takes place on November 7 and will be showing the Wales v New Zealand game on a giant screen. Tickets cost £25. To book, call 029 2022 4488 or visit www.celtfest.com
Press release issued by Robert Lloyd on behalf of CeltFest.
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