WICB RESPONDS TO TICKET PRICE COMPLAINTS

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – The West Indies Cricket Board has been made aware that concerns have been expressed about advance ticket-pricing for our upcoming International Home Series between West Indies and England through our Official Tour Operator (OTO) programme.

The WICB has appointed seven official United Kingdom tour operators for the England tour of the Caribbean which starts in April, offering a number of travel packages which include the right to pre-sell tickets only for the series, since there will be no online ticket sales.

“We value the fact that English cricket tours to the Caribbean always attract thousands of West Indian and English fans resident in the UK and elsewhere,” said Chief Executive Officer of the WICB, Michael Muirhead.

“Please be assured that the WICB will never knowingly take any steps which can jeopardise this long-standing relationship between cricket fans and West Indies Cricket.”

Muirhead said a number of factors however, had influenced the pricing of tickets through the OTO programme.

He said: “First, the tickets being offered to you through the OTO programme are premium seats with some of the best views of play in all three match venues. There is also the opportunity to have groups seated together depending on availability. The number of available seats is usually quite limited because of our relatively small stadium sizes.

“Secondly, pre-selling online is not available other than through the OTO programme. Making it possible for overseas fans to acquire tickets will help to prevent the frustration of long queues on match days at the match venues.”

Muirhead added: “Thirdly, the Government Authorities in all three host territories have partnered with the WICB and have invested precious public funds which help to cover the economic cost differential of the tickets which will be sold locally to citizens.

“This is why we can offer slightly more attractive prices for local consumption only. This policy has traditionally been responsible for creating the uniquely festive atmosphere inside the stadium grounds for which the Caribbean has become renowned.”

Muirhead noted offering tickets at a differential price through the OTO programme is a common industry practice and has been done in major sports and entertainment events around the World, including previous England tours to the Caribbean and other cricket destinations.

“In this regard, we have licensed International Cricket Tours, Howzat Travel, Sports Tours Plus, Thomas Cook Tour Operators, Gullivers/Barmy Army, Independent Travel Experts (part of the Travel Network Group) and Living with the Lions Sports Travel as our exclusive commercial travel providers,” he said.

“We are confident that this group of experienced tour companies can coordinate all travel and ticketing arrangements, while ensuring that visitors will carry wonderful memories home. WICB extends a warm invitation to all cricket supporters, including our friends in the UK, to come to the Caribbean and enjoy the exciting cricket culture and atmosphere which only our islands can provide.”

WICB Media Release.

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