Northern Ireland will continue to “reap the benefits” of being the home of Game of Thrones for years to come – that’s the message from Tourism NI Chief John McGrillen.
Writing the foreword in ‘The Making of a Screen Tourism Destination’, a new publication that celebrates Northern Ireland’s links to the global hit TV show, Mr McGrillen said that Game of Thrones had helped to attract one in six out-of-state visitors in 2018, amounting to around 350,000 people and over £50m into the local economy that year alone.
“There is no doubt Northern Ireland has been on a remarkable journey with Game of Thrones,” he said.
“In less than a decade, we’ve undergone an extraordinary makeover as an international screen tourism destination.
“This epic journey will continue with the new Game of Thrones Studio Tour at Linen Mill Studios, Banbridge, the first permanent licensed Game of Thrones experience in the world.
“I am confident that being the real-life home of the most successful TV show in history will continue to reap benefits for years to come.”
The Making of a Screen Tourism Destination chronicles how Game of Thrones has helped to transform tourism in Northern Ireland and how the giant spirit of this land gave life to the make-believe continent of Westeros.
It also outlines how production of the show generated £251million for the local economy.
To read The Making of a Screen Tourism Destination visit tourismni.com/gameofthrones
