24 Oct 2023
Press Release: Game of Thrones Studio Tour wins UKInbound excellence award for Sustainable Tourism Provider of the Year
October 24, 2023
Immediate Release
Note: Thursday, 26th October is International Sustainability Day
Game of Thrones Studio Tour in Northern Ireland has won the prestigious national UKInbound Sustainable Tourism Provider of the Year award.
Recognised at the tourism industry group’s recent annual convention, Game of Thrones Studio Tour was hailed as a ‘world-class ultra-low carbon visitor attraction’.
Located at the principal film studios for Game of Thrones – Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, Co Down - the immersive tourist destination invites fans of TV and film to go behind the scenes and discover the artistry that went into making the TV phenomenon.
Game of Thrones Studio Tour hosts more than 150 iconic screen-used costumes, as well as original props, weapons, jewellery, and dramatic sets such as Winterfell, Dragonstone, Kings Landing, and of course, the globally recognised one and only original Iron Throne.
The visitor attraction sits on a net-positive biodiversity 30-acre site, with a further 90-acre encompassed by a land management plan which includes a wildflower meadow, bird and bat boxes, rewilding areas, tree planting, composting, and herb garden. Community beehives and a raft of other sustainability measures are set to be introduced to the site in 2024.
The Studio Tour’s priceless original film sets and assets are protected within the 110,000 sq. ft visitor experience by an HVAC system with close temperature and humidity control, sensible and latent heat recovery, free cooling and a modular zero-carbon heating system with energy storage.
The UKInbound judging panel were already impressed by many aspects of the Sustainable Management plan at Game of Thrones Studio Tour and the scope of future aspiration.
UKinbound CEO, Joss Croft OBE, said: “A key part of our new sustainability strategy, is to showcase our member businesses who are doing great work to reduce energy usage and protect and regenerate the environment. In the future, we will use the practices and initiatives used by Game of Thrones Studio Tour to inspire our other members to take similar action in their businesses.”
Game of Thrones Studio Tour’s Executive Director David Browne said: “We’re thrilled that progress on our sustainability journey has been recognised with this prestigious award by UKInbound.
"Our ultimate vision for the Game of Thrones Studio Tour is for our visitors to continue making lifelong memories experiencing, dining on our locally sourced and prepared food, shopping, refuelling, and recharging, all carbon and guilt-free, with those valuable tourism and supplier revenues retained and recycled within our economy for the benefit of all our citizens.
"That makes good business sense for us, but it is also the right thing to do for future generations.”
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About Game of Thrones Studio Tour
Game of Thrones Studio Tour is an authentic world-class attraction that invites visitors of all ages to peek behind the camera to learn the show’s secrets and admire the skills that combined to make one of the most successful TV series in history.
It is the only official Game of Thrones Studio Tour in the world and includes the world’s largest Game of Thrones shop.
At Game of Thrones Studio Tour can you walk through many authentic sets, including King’s Landing and the Great Hall of Winterfell to discover the role Northern Ireland played in creating the hit HBO series during a decade of filming. Visitors can get closer than ever before to more than 140 authentic costumes from the show, weapons, jewellery, and the prosthetics used to create the White Walkers, the Night King, and more. You can even become a Kingsguard or White Walker and try your hand at archery on interactive screens.
Game of Thrones Studio Tour is located at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge. The Tour is located just 30-mins from Belfast and 90-mins from Dublin.
NB: Ticket sales and information on getting to Game of Thrones Studio Tour are here: www.gameofthonesstudiotour.com
About Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment:
Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment (WBDGTE), part of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Brands and Experiences, is a worldwide leader in the creation, development, and licensing of location-based entertainment, live events, exhibits, and theme park experiences based on the biggest franchises, stories, and characters from Warner Bros.’ film, television, animation, and games studios, HBO, Discovery, DC, Cartoon Network and more.
WBDGTE is home to the ground-breaking locations of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal theme parks around the world, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, The WB Abu Dhabi, The FRIENDS Experience, The Game of Thrones Studio Tour, and countless other experiences inspired by the Wizarding World, DC, Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, Game of Thrones, FRIENDS and more. With best-in-class partners, WBDGTE allows fans around the world to physically immerse themselves inside their favourite brands and franchises.
GAME OF THRONES and all related characters and elements © & ™ Home Box Office, Inc. (s23).
About Game of Thrones Studio Tour’s innovative sustainability management:
Game of Thrones Studio Tour proudly announces itself as a world-class ultra-low carbon visitor attraction, setting new standards for sustainability in the entertainment industry.
It strives to be an ecological haven with features like a wildflower meadow, bird and bat boxes, rewilding areas, tree planting, composting, and herb gardens. This commitment to biodiversity and environmental stewardship reflects our dedication to preserving the natural world that surrounds us.
· Preservation of screen treasures:
Game of Thrones Studio Tour has taken exceptional measures to preserve the priceless screen-used sets, costumes, props, and weapons that have captivated audiences worldwide. Within the facility's 100,000 sq. ft internal environment, temperature and relative humidity are meticulously controlled to safeguard these iconic artefacts. This level of dedication ensures the long-lasting legacy of the hit HBO TV show.
· Zero Carbon Heating and Energy Efficiency
Dedication to reducing our carbon footprint is further exemplified by our modular biomass heating system, supported by buffered energy storage, which serves as the primary zero-carbon heating source for Game of Thrones Studio Tour. This system also includes HVAC sensible and latent heat recovery systems. To maximize energy efficiency, we employ free nighttime precooling and high-efficiency distributed heat pumps for peak cooling loads. The advanced Building Energy Management System closely monitors and controls our heating and cooling systems, supplying a seamless visitor experience.
· Green Energy and Waste Management
Game of Thrones Studio Tour is powered by green electricity and is actively taking measures to improve further in the provision of green energy. The visitor attraction has also implemented a comprehensive waste management system that encourages recycling and upcycling. Recycling bins are strategically placed throughout the tour, and we have partnered with local recycling facilities to divert waste from landfills. Water conservation is a priority, enforced through low-flow toilets, infrared faucets, and water recycling systems in our kitchens.
· A Holistic Approach to Sustainability
Our commitment to sustainability extends to every aspect of our operation. We are proud to work closely with local suppliers and businesses that share our dedication to sustainable practices. In addition, we engage with local schools, colleges, universities, and professional institutions to provide educational programs that inspire future generations in the pursuit of environmental responsibility.
About UKInbound
UKinbound is a leading travel trade association and the only one which focuses solely on the interests of the UK’s inbound tourism sector. It has 400 members including tour operators, destination management companies, accommodation providers, attractions, destination marketing organisations and service providers including restaurants, transport, retail, ticketing, and professional services.
UKinbound addresses and engages with the Government, the media, travel trade and the public to raise awareness of inbound tourism’s significant impact on the UK economy and drive a return for its members.
David Browne is Executive Director of Game of Thrones Studio Tour
Educated in Northern Ireland and the US, David is a Chartered Energy Engineer, Chartered Environmentalist, British Standards Associate and European Project Assessor, as well as a former Chairman and serving Committee Member of the Energy Institute.
David is a professional Member of the Energy Institute, Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management, Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers and Institute of Sustainability Professionals.
Link - International Sustainability Day: https://tinyurl.com/yckhx3c4
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Contact:
Game of Thrones Studio Tour Media
Alex McGreevy | PR and Communications Manager
T: +44 28 4033 6948 | M: 07469692261
E: alex.mcgreevy@linenmillstudios.com or media@gameofthronesstudiotour.com
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