The official Game of Thrones Studio Tour has celebrated its 2nd birthday with the launch of a new website, a new e-commerce store featuring exclusive merchandise, a new 7-day-a-week Belfast and Dublin coach service to the Studio Tour – and topped off celebrations with a spectacular Iron Throne birthday cake!
Adding to the festivities, actor Ian McElhinney, famous for his role as Ser Barristan Selmy in Game of Thrones, returned to the Seven Kingdoms to be featured in an exclusive video revisiting the history of Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge – a principal Game of Thrones film location Northern Ireland - for the visitor attraction’s new website.
Situated along the Dublin-Belfast corridor, Game of Thrones Studio Tour offers a world-class visitor experience, allowing guests to explore captivating sets, authentic screen-used props, over 150 stunning costumes, opulent weapons like the Catspaw Dagger and Long Claw, interactive screens, and various behind-the-scenes elements that contributed to the creation of the acclaimed HBO series. The immersive experience brings Westeros to life and evokes the show’s epic scale - from King’s Landing, Winterfell, Dragonstone, The Wall, and the lands beyond.
The new Game of Thrones Studio Tour daily coach service from Belfast RTN will depart from the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre three times a day at 9.30am, 11am, and 2pm, while a Dublin RTN coach service will depart once a day, every day at 10am.
Sam Harding, Game of Thrones Studio Tour Managing Director said: “We had an exciting 2023 and are confident that 2024 will be even better. Our top five visiting regions in 2023 were the USA, France, Australia, Ireland, and the UK while guests have also travelled from as far as Madagascar, China, and Serbia to experience the Studio Tour. “Tourists are re-awakening after an understandably cautious year following the pandemic, and we look forward to welcoming many more visitors to Game of Thrones Studio Tour for an epic family day out in 2024. “It’s not just an experience for Game of Thrones fans – it’s for fans of filmmaking, costumes, set-building, weapons, prop-making and much more. The Studio Tour has lots of interactive activities for people of all ages, ensuring an unforgettable day out. “Everyone knows iconic screen legends like the Iron Throne too, and the real Iron Throne from the show can only be seen at Game of Thrones Studio Tour. “The number of visitors to our website increased by a massive 60% in 2023, during which time we received more than 2,000 5-star reviews online. The time is right to launch our new website to complement consumer interest and engage further with our online community.”
“Congratulations to Game of Thrones Studio Tour on the occasion of its second birthday. Game of Thrones reached audiences around the world, averaging tens of millions of viewers per episode across eight seasons. The beauty of Northern Ireland is intertwined with the story of Game of Thrones. We see screen tourism as a growing global trend. At Tourism Ireland, we are proud to partner with Game of Thrones Studio Tour to attract overseas visitors to Northern Ireland.”
“Huge congratulations to the Game of Thrones Studio Tour on their second anniversary. Tourism NI is delighted to have welcomed this outstanding visitor attraction to our Embrace A Giant Spirit portfolio of world-class experiences across Northern Ireland that demonstrate originality, unique stories, and a big-hearted welcome. “The Studio Tour has a wide appeal, from fans of the hit TV series and people interested in how TV productions are made to those with a passion for fantasy and adventure. It is also ideally located just off the Dublin to Belfast corridor and the addition of new music events will also add to, and further widen, the appeal of this unique venue. “Looking ahead, screen tourism is an expanding sector, with growth of 7.2% per annum anticipated in the coming years. We are also encouraged by the improving performance of our international markets and are optimistic for tourism’s prospects in 2024.”
For more information, new daily bus schedules from Belfast and Dublin, and to buy tickets for the world’s only official Game of Thrones Studio Tour, visit www.gameofthronesstudiotour.com