Down loses out on Game of Thrones tourism boost

Down loses out on Game of Thrones tourism boost

26 April 2017

NOT enough is being done in Lecale to capitalise on the success of the blockbuster television series Game of Thrones, it has been claimed.

Councillor Gareth Sharvin says Newry, Mourne and Down Council must to do more to capitalise on the growth of visitors to the area on the back of the phenomenal success of the HBO television series.

Many of the scenes for the series watched by millions of people across the globe are filmed locally and there has been a huge increase in the number of coach tours to the area with Game of Thrones aficionados visiting locations including a number in and around Strangford.

Councillor Sharvin believes the local authority is not making the most of the success of the television series and its links with Downpatrick and Strangford in particular and is encouraging it to help deliver what he described as a “full visitor experience.”

He said Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s recently published tourist strategy only refers to Game of Thrones on three occasions, despite its heavy link with Strangford and Lecale.

“When you speak to businesses in the Saul and Strangford areas, they have informed me that the Game of Thrones series has been their biggest area of business growth for the last number of years,” he said.

“A lot of business owners have highlighted the lack of support from the local council, but explained Tourism Northern Ireland has helped them to achieve their current business success.”

Councillor Sharvin argued the local authority can do more to attract additional visitors on the back of the success of Game of Thrones, providing a boost for the local economy and job creation.

He continued: “If Newry, Mourne and Down Council invested in promoting the television series through local events — perhaps even a flagship event in the Strangford area — such events would increase footfall, bringing tourism investment to our district and developing business growth.”

“I would like to have seen the area’s links with Game of Thrones featured more in the tourist strategy. Last weekend, eight full coach loads of people were in Strangford which equated to almost 400 visitors, providing a boost for the village’s economy. We need to look at how we capitalise on the area’s links with such a world known commodity.”