We goin’ Germany

NEARLY $3 million has been shelled out by Soca Warriors fans in South Trinidad to see the local football heroes in action at the World Cup Finals 2006 in Germany.

Of this figure, at least $2.5 million was spent by one group of 80 southerners who booked their World Cup dream at one travel agency alone.

With one package going for a whopping $30,000, travel agents who spoke with Newsday yesterday said the packages sold like “hot bread” and did not prove a problem for local fans to join in the World Cup fever to support local footballers.

Andy Willoughby, Managing Director of A Willoughby’s Travel Service in San Fernando, told Newsday the response to “Soca Fever” was overwhelmingly incredible.

Willoughby said the $30,000 packages covered the cost of airfare, accommodation, meals, transport, transfer fees and tickets to see the Soca Warriors’ games.

He also said there were specially-arranged packages which included sight-seeing tours to several European countries between the three games the Soca Warriors face in Group B against England, Sweden and Paraguay.

“The fans would not only have the opportunity to see their Soca Warriors battle on the football field in Germany, but also to visit several countries including Amsterdam, France and Prague in the Czech Republic,” Willoughby said.

However, airfare alone to Germany ranged from $8,100 to $9,100, other travel agents said.

Several travel agencies were forced to disappoint Soca Warrior fans wanting to see their football heroes play in the largest international sporting tournament since the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation had only a limited supply of World Cup match tickets. In most cases, travel agencies provided only airfare to Germany.

Horizon Travel Services manager Deborah Lawrie said there were sales of 25-30 tickets to Germany, which were “reasonably priced” for Soca Warriors’ fans at an average cost of $8,200.

Managing Director of CMS Travel and Tours, Barry Bissessar, told Newsday he made available return airfare tickets at $9,100 per person.

He said there was an average sale of 12 return tickets.