NEEDHAM, Mass., July 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/
-- TripAdvisor®, the travel site that helps you
find the latest reviews and lowest prices, today announced the top
10 most popular "Game of Thrones" tours throughout the world, based
on TripAdvisor attractions booking data, leading into the Season 7
premiere on July 16.
In recognition of its ranking on the list, TripAdvisor teamed up
with cast member Kristian Nairn to
surprise unsuspecting TripAdvisor tour-goers on the Game of Thrones
tour ranked #1 in the UK and #3 in the world. True to form,
TripAdvisor provided a VIP experience by having Kristian pop out
from behind a door at Ballintoy Harbour made famous as part of the
Iron Islands of House Greyjoy, leaving the tour-goers speechless.
After the surprise, Kristian and the tour guide shared insider
information about the show and invited everyone to pose for a photo
recreating Kristian's famous "hold the door" scene.
"I love my job because every day I'm able to provide a top-rate
tour experience for people just as passionate about the Game of
Thrones as myself," said Caroline
McComb, tour operator. "Today, however, was on a whole new
level. An amazing experience, only on a TripAdvisor tour!" To view
the video, click on the following link: http://bit.ly/2tOnooK
TripAdvisor also analyzed annual search activity data for Game
of Thrones filming locations since 2012, a year after the series
began to air, to determine show's influence on tourism to those
destinations. Most locations have experienced significant increases
in traveler interest, as much as 2270%, after appearing on the
show.
Top 10 Most Booked Game of Thrones Tours on
TripAdvisor
- Viator Exclusive: 'Game of Thrones' Walking Tour of
Dubrovnik, Croatia
(bookable on TripAdvisor with low price guarantee of $65.50)
Travelers can discover Game
of Thrones (GOT) film sites of Old Town of Dubrovnik on this guided
walking tour that takes in the real-life attractions used for some
of the show's fictional locations including Lovrijenac Fortress,
Blackwater Bay and a trip to Trsteno Arboretum.
- 'Game of Thrones' Filming Locations Tour From
Reykjavik, Iceland
(bookable on TripAdvisor with low price guarantee of $127.59)
Travelers can visit GOT
filming locations on this full-day guided tour, including
Thingvellir National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site),
Iceland's largest geothermal power
stations at Nesjavellir, Lake Thingvallavatn's panoramic vistas as
well as Thjorsárdalur valley.
- 'Game of Thrones' and Giant's Causeway Full-Day Tour from
Belfast, UK (bookable on TripAdvisor with low price
guarantee of $45.32)
Kristian Nairn, member of the ensemble cast,
recently surprised and thrilled unsuspecting fans on this popular
GOT tour. Travelers can see the magical locations where GOT is
filmed on a full-day tour of the UNESCO-listed Giant's Causeway and
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Fans visit key filming locations, such
as the caves and Dark Hedges road, while listening to inside gossip
about popular characters.
- 'Game of Thrones' Film Location Tour from Dublin Including
Giant's Causeway, Ireland
(bookable on TripAdvisor with low price guarantee of $62.66)
Travelers discover
sites made famous from GOT visiting beautiful locations such as the
Dark Hedges, the Cushendun Caves, Ballintoy Harbour and Larrybane.
There are also photo opportunities at the iconic ruin of Dunluce
Castle and Giant's Causeway.
- Viator Exclusive: 'Game of Thrones' Tour in Split,
Croatia (bookable on TripAdvisor
with low price guarantee of $77.47)
Travelers get an
insider's view of GOT on this 3.5-hour guided walking tour in
Split. A local guide provides a behind-the-scenes look, learning
about spots in the fictional city of Meereen and the fortress of
Klis, before ending at Diocletian's Palace.
- 'Game of Thrones' Filming Locations Tour from Belfast
including Giant's Causeway, UK (bookable on TripAdvisor with
low price guarantee of $38.85)
Travelers embark on an epic journey through the Seven Kingdoms on
this full-day tour of Northern
Ireland's GOT filming locations, such as Dark Hedges,
Cushendun Caves and Carrickfergus Castle. Along the way, marvel at
natural wonders like the Giant's Causeway, see the Titanic Studios
and walk the notorious Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.
- Game of Thrones Tour with Karaka Cruise and Dubrovnik
Walking Tour, Croatia
(bookable on TripAdvisor with low price guarantee of $48.99)
Travelers sail into the
fantastical world of GOT with this action-packed 2-hour cruise and
walking tour throughout King's Landing. Board the same ship that
Daenerys Targaryen sailed and then walk through Dubrovnik's Old
Town to discover where other famous scenes were set.
- 'Game of Thrones' Filming Locations Tour in Malta
(bookable on TripAdvisor with low price guarantee of
$67.21)
Travelers discover the
Lands of Ice and Fire on this full-day tour of Malta's GOT filming locations. On this tour,
which was designed and is led by two actors who appeared on the
series, travelers get up close to the ancient forts, parkland and
streets that set the scene for the Red Keep and King's Landing.
- 'Game of Thrones' Location Tour from Belfast including
Giant's Causeway, UK (bookable on TripAdvisor with low price
guarantee of $33.04)
Travelers
explore sites made famous in GOT, and explore the Causeway Coastal
Route with panoramic views over the countryside. Visit top local
attractions including Cushendun Caves, Ballintoy Harbour and
Larrybane, Giant's Causeway and the Dark Hedges.
- 'Game of Thrones' Guided Day Trip to Girona from
Barcelona, Spain (bookable
on TripAdvisor with low price guarantee of $112.78)
Travelers follow in the footsteps of the Lannisters and the
Targaryens on this 8-hour GOT–themed tour in Girona. Explore the
medieval city through the eyes of key characters, sample King's
Hand ice cream, and enjoy free time to see the city's Roman walls,
Jewish district and more.
Spain and Iceland are Most Popular Game of Thrones
Tourism Destinations
Among the most popular GOT film locations on TripAdvisor is
Spain, with 12 destinations
serving as fictional background for Kings Landing, Dorne, Vaes
Dothrak, and more. Local Spanish landmarks like the Castle of Zafra
saw a 488% year-over-year increase in interest from international
travelers after its appearance in Season 6. Osuna´s bullfighting
ring, appearing as the Fighting Pits of Mereen, has experienced a
215% increase in traveler interest. The city of Girona, which
served as King´s Landing, Braavos, Dorne, Hornhill or Oldtown, saw
a traffic increase of 62% at the beginning of Season
6.
Vik, Iceland, has also
experienced a large increase in traffic (1300%), comparing 2012 to
2016. Iceland in general has
experienced a notable increase of 531%, since the show's premiere
in 2011, driven mainly by Americans (684%) and Brits (379%) wanting
to visit the fictional filming location of The Wall and Beyond.
Country Antrim in Northern Ireland Another GOT Tourism
Hotspot
An iconic GOT filming destination since Season 1, the
Northern Ireland region of Country
Antrim has been the backdrop for King's Landing, King's Road, and
Winterfell, among others. This region has piqued the interest of
travelers, increasing search traffic +229% since the end of
2012.
"Pop culture and TV can have a powerful influence on travel and
TripAdvisor data reveals that the Game of Thrones phenomenon has
driven a remarkable increase in tourism to numerous destinations in
Europe," said Brooke Ferencsik, senior director of
communications for TripAdvisor. "The good news for travelers is
that TripAdvisor provides access to amazing bookable tours so fans
can have a first-hand experience at filming locations to bring some
of the Game of Thrones fantasy into reality."
TripAdvisor offers more than 56,000 bookable tours, activities
and experiences in 2,500 destinations and 165 countries to help
travelers unleash the full potential of their trips.
Methodology
Top tours are most booked "Game of
Thrones" themed tours on TripAdvisor during 2016.
Traffic increases have been calculated based on the number of
unique sessions on TripAdvisor from September 2012 through June 2017.
About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor, the world's largest
travel site*, enables travelers to unleash the full potential of
every trip. With more than 500 million reviews and opinions
covering the world's largest selection of travel listings worldwide
-- over 7 million accommodations, airlines, attractions, and
restaurants -- TripAdvisor provides travelers with the wisdom of
the crowds to help them decide where to stay, how to fly, what to
do and where to eat. TripAdvisor also compares prices from more
than 200 hotel booking sites so travelers can find the lowest price
on the hotel that's right for them. TripAdvisor-branded sites are
available in 49 markets, and are home to the world's largest travel
community of 390 million average unique monthly visitors,** all
looking to get the most out of every trip. TripAdvisor: Know
better. Book better. Go better.
TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP), through its subsidiaries,
manages and operates websites under 22 other travel media brands:
www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.citymaps.com,
www.cruisecritic.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com,
www.flipkey.com, www.thefork.com (including
www.lafourchette.com, www.eltenedor.com, www.iens.nl and
www.dimmi.com.au), www.gateguru.com,
www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com,
www.housetrip.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.jetsetter.com,
www.niumba.com, www.onetime.com, www.oyster.com, www.seatguru.com,
www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.tripbod.com,
www.vacationhomerentals.com and www.viator.com.
*Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites,
worldwide, December 2016
**Source: TripAdvisor log files, Q1 2017
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