Nine lucky Chinese fans of Game of Thrones have been visiting Northern Ireland after winning a competition organised by Tourism Ireland in China, in conjunction with Tourism NI.
The chance to win a trip to Northern Ireland to explore the ‘real life Westeros’ was part of a promotion designed in spring 2019 by Tourism Ireland in China and HBO Asia. It coincided with the series’ eighth season and was planned to remind GoT fans in China that Northern Ireland is one of the main filming locations for the hugely popular TV series.
The prize-winners’ VIP tour – designed by Bespoke NI – included a visit to the Game of Thrones Touring Exhibition in Belfast and the opportunity to check out Tourism Ireland’s Glass of Thrones trail around the city. They enjoyed a tour along the Causeway Coastal Route, stopping off at various filming locations, took part in a fun ‘Winterfell’ experience at Castle Ward and attended a Game of Thrones banquet at The Cuan in Strangford.
Tourism NI hopes this will encourage more fans in Asia to come and check out the locations for themselves in the future, which it no doubt will as Game of Thrones has helped Belfast become a major tech and creative talent city.