TRAVEL:TITANIC BELFAST

Titanic Belfast Named Best Attraction in Europe  

 Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience, located on the spot where the famous liner was built and launched, has been named as Europe’s Leading Visitor Attraction at the prestigious World Travel Awards held in Sardinia, Italy, last night.  Titanic Belfast beat off stiff competition from the Guinness Storehouse, Dublin, La Sagrada Familia, Spain, The Eiffel Tower, France, Acropolis, Athens, Buckingham Palace, England, Ribeira do Porto, Portugal, and The Roman Colosseum, Italy for the top spot.It is also the first-time an attraction from Northern Ireland has won the accolade in its 23 year history.  Titanic Belfast Chief Executive, Tim Husbands MBE, commented, “We are absolutely thrilled to be Europe’s Best Tourist Attraction and to bring the award back to Ireland! After only four years in operation, to be recognised and beat off stiff competition from Europe’s most iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Roman Colosseum is a true honour. We know what we offer at Titanic Belfast is special – the enduring story of Titanic and the appeal of its home where she was designed and built captures hearts and minds throughout the world. We are pleased that we are recognised world-wide as the ultimate Titanic Experience and a must-see for anyone visiting Belfast, Northern Ireland and Ireland. We would like to thank everyone who has supported and voted for us.”  Since opening in 2012, Titanic Belfast has established itself as a world-class attraction on the local, national and international stage, and continues to go from strength to strength.  Last month, it welcomed its three-millionth visitor, having once again exceeded visitor number expectations. This milestone came during a record-breaking August, as the visitor attraction experienced its busiest day to date.   The world-class attraction has welcomed many VIP guests includes Her Majesty The Queen, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, TITANIC director James Cameron, the discovery of Titanic, Dr Robert Ballard, Taoiseach Enda Kenny and, as well as celebrities including Adele and Michael Bublé, to name a few.   It is home to some of the most significant Titanic artefacts, including the last letter ever to be written on board the Titanic by Essex-born Esther Hart and her seven-year-old daughter Eva and the SS Nomadic, the last remaining White Star Line artefact.  

 The award adds to Titanic Belfast accolades as it was recently included in Lonely Planet's Ultimate Travelist of 500 of the world's most striking locations, featuring everything from imposing temples to hidden gems, after only three years in operation.

 About Europe’s Leading Visitor Attraction – Titanic Belfast 

Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience, located on the spot where the famous ship was designed and launched, has been named Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction. To celebrate here are 15 things you may not know about award-winning attraction:  

• Titanic Belfast beat off stiff competition from the Guinness Storehouse, Dublin, La Sagrada Familia, Spain, The Eiffel Tower, France, Acropolis, Athens, Buckingham Palace, England, Ribeira do Porto, Portugal, and The Roman Colosseum, Italy to be awarded Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction.  
• It’s not the first time, Titanic Belfast has stolen the top spot from the Eiffel Tower as it was named Europe’s Best Tourist Attraction for Groups at the European Group Travel Awards last year. 
• In four and half years, it has welcomed 3 million visitors from over 145 countries. 
• It had its busiest day to date this August. 
• Titanic Belfast is the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience. 
• It is located at the sport where the Titanic was designed and launched – it only took 62 seconds to launch Titanic from the Slipways on 21st May 1911! On the same day, the Olympic, and the tender ships, Nomadic and Traffic left Belfast, drawing over 100,000 spectators and journalists travelling from London and America.  
• It can hold over 3,547 visitors at any one time, the same number as the capacity of Titanic!  
• Since opening, it has welcomed Her Majesty The Queen, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, TITANIC director James Cameron, the discovery of Titanic, Dr Robert Ballard, Taoiseach Enda Kenny and, as well as celebrities including Adele and Michael Bublé, to name a few.  
• The world-class exhibition, which has been described as ‘magnificent and dramatic’ by TITANIC movie director, James Cameron. 
• The building’s overall shape represents the bow of the ship and the hulls are the same height of Titanic from keel to Boat Deck! 
• From the sky, the building is the shape of a star, which represents the White Star Line connection. 
• The plaza surrounding the building is actually a map (one of the largest maps of the Northern Hemisphere at 10,000 m2) and follows the route of the Titanic from Belfast to South Hampton, Cobh towards its final resting place. 
• The wooden benches encircling the building and are spaced in Morse code sequence. Moving clockwise around the plaza they read “DE (this is) MGY MGY MGY (Titanic’s call sign) CQD CQD SOS SOS CQD” – the distress message that Titanic sent after hitting an iceberg. 
• Since opening, it has sold 338,000 postcards and over 20,000 Titanic snow globes! 
• It has also sold over 73,000 Americanos, 65,000 Cappucinos and 60,000 Lattes! 

To delve deeper, visit the home of the story - Titanic Belfast. The Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction is easily accessible. For more information, visit www.titanicbelfast.com.