Accor has signed a new three-year agreement with the National Rugby League (NRL) to stay on as the Official Accommodation Partner of the competition, in which it will provide rooms to teams travelling to away games.
The agreement was signed this past weekend in Brisbane during the 2021 NRL Magic Round, which saw all 16 teams play their matches at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium as part of a three-day festival of rugby league.
Accor Pacific CEO and South Sydney Rabbitohs die-hard fan, Simon McGrath, said the partnership between the two organisations was a powerful collaboration that would continue to bring major benefits to the economy and the travel industry.
“Both sport and tourism have faced significant disruption throughout 2020; through this partnership the travel industry will work together with the NRL to deliver games for athletes and fans,” McGrath said.
“Every year, Australia hosts many sporting events that people attend from all over the world. Sport is a huge draw for tourists and supporters both domestically and internationally and has been a significant factor in our countries success.”
NRL Chief Executive, Andrew Abdo, said the deal would help to create jobs and support local businesses and communities around Australia.
“The return of sporting events will help our economy recover quickly and boost the common welfare of our regions and great cities. People have been starved of live games, experiences and travel, and we know people are keen to reconnect.”