Unknown to many, the worldwide box office smash hit a Game of Thrones had its first three seasons filmed mainly in the Titanic Quarter of Belfast. Just recently HBO’s executive producer of the fantasy drama announced that the current series and next two will continue to be filmed in the area until 2016.
This is a major boost for Northern Ireland’s tourism industry and can now work to capitalize on the shows huge worldwide popularity to attract new and repeat visitors by creating tourism strategies around this encouraging news. Northern Ireland already promote iconic attractions such as Titanic Belfast and Giant’s Causeway and this promises to be as much of an allure as the above.
The show itself uses elaborate sets in and around the Paint Hall Studios and some additional scenes on location around Northern Ireland as well as other locations such as Iceland and Croatia.
Jay Roewe, HBO’s Executive Vice-President spoke recently about the filming location “There is a business-friendly environment here where we feel secure, we feel safe and we feel support, and on top of everything else there is a genuine enthusiasm with people wanting to help be part of a successful business.
“We have had an opportunity to work with the local people here and there is a great educational situation going on here where they are learning how to do great productions and, when we eventually leave, the people of Northern Ireland will be able to carry on with other productions in the future at the same quality level that we are working on with Game of Thrones.”