WORLD Youth Day 2008 organisers have released the cost of pilgrim packages to the Sydney event, aimed at encouraging maximum participation by pilgrims from Australia’s neighbours in South-East Asia and the Pacific.
Pilgrims from low income countries will be able to take advantage of a flat-rate registration package comprising accommodation, meals and Sydney transport, costing $50, less than the price of comparable packages for World Youth Day 2005 in Cologne.
Under the three-tiered packages announced on January 5, registered Australian pilgrims and others from high and upper middle income nations will pay up to $395 for the full week or $175 for the weekend only option.
Travel costs to Sydney are not included.
World Youth Day 2008 co-ordinator Sydney Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher said organisers had achieved a commitment to keep all packages priced below $A400.
“We know that for many people in Oceania this may be the only chance they have to attend a World Youth Day,” he said.
“With this in mind, one of our guiding principles was to ensure that pilgrims from developing nations in Oceania pay as little as possible to attend World Youth Day in 2008.
“Furthermore, we have managed to keep package prices for pilgrims from lower middle income nations at roughly the same levels as 2005.”
The top package includes an extra night’s accommodation compared with World Youth Day 2005, 18 meals and bus, rail and ferry transport for registered pilgrims in Sydney across the week.
Emergency health insurance cover is included for all registered pilgrims and the WYD08 visa will be free of government charges.
Pilgrims will also receive a WYD08 backpack with program books and the passes required for various services and for preferential access to key event venues.
Sydney is hosting the XXIII World Youth Day from July 15-20, 2008.
The event is expected to attract up to 500,000 pilgrims, including up to 125,000 international visitors.
For more information about the World Youth Day registration packages, visit www.wyd2008.org
