According to Tourism NI, HBO intends to celebrate the Game of Thrones' legacy in Northern Ireland by converting several filming locations into tourist attractions.
The so-called "Game of Thrones Legacy" attractions will reportedly be on a scale and scope bigger than anything the public has ever seen, offering the first opportunity for fans to set foot inside some of the most iconic locations from the series. Each site will feature sets as well as displays of costumes, props, weapons, set decorations, art files, models, and other production materials. The visitor experiences will also include state-of-the-art digital content and interactive materials which will showcase some of the digital wizardry for which the series is known.
Sharing The Excitement
Commenting on the news, HBO's vice president of licensing and retail, Jeff Peters, said, “HBO is thrilled to celebrate the work of the Game of Thrones creative team and crew by preserving these locations and inviting fans to visit Northern Ireland and explore Westeros in person. We look forward to opening the gates and sharing the excitement of stepping inside these amazing sets with Game of Thrones fans from around the world. The opportunity to celebrate Northern Ireland’s pivotal role in the life and legacy of the show and share its culture, beauty and warmth is also a huge inspiration behind these Legacy projects.”
"Game Changer"
Meanwhile, Tourism NI chief executive John McGrillen asserted, “We couldn’t be more excited about the Game of Thrones Legacy project coming to Northern Ireland. While fans have seen the stunning landscapes, coastlines and mountains in the series, we are thrilled they will now have the opportunity to fully experience the charm of Northern Ireland and immerse themselves in to the world of Westeros. The Game of Thrones Legacy project will be a game changer for Northern Ireland on a global tourism level. We very much welcome this exciting announcement by HBO and look forward to attracting many more visitors to our beautiful country as a result.”
Plans are underway for the attractions to include the standing sets for locations such as Winterfell, Castle Black and King's Landing alongside a formal studio tour of Linen Mill Studios which will showcase a wide array of subject matter from the series spanning all seasons and settings.
© 2018 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
