Page 22 - 366977 LP247663A Travel Matters 76pp A4 (September 2022)

NEWS
AER LINGUS SPONSORS COLLEGE FOOTBALL CLASSIC
As Aer Lingus celebrated the touchdown
of its sponsored College Football Classic - cheerleaders from North Western University performed upon arrival in Dublin to help mark the start of the Big Ten Conference fixture.
The Northwestern University Wildcats played against the Nebraska University Cornhuskers in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on 27th August 2022, marking the opening of the 􏰀􏰁􏰀􏰀 college football season. The two teams flew with Aer Lingus - title sponsor of the event - and the event kicked off a series of college football games to be hosted by Dublin over the coming years.
The fixture looks set to have a major impact on travel and tourism and the wider economy in Ireland, as thousands of fans of both US colleges are expected to travel to Ireland to cheer on the two teams.
The game represents the biggest inbound inter- national event in Ireland since 2019, with 13,000 US fans and 3,000 European fans arriving in Dublin to be part of the big game, which is worth an estimated €63 million to the Irish economy.
THE TRICK TO GETTING THROUGH LIFE IS ALWAYS HAVING A VACATION BOOKED TO LOOK FORWARD TO...
BELFAST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DISPLAYS ‘WILLOW THRONE’
Tourists arriving into Northern Ireland via Belfast International Airport will be greeted by the world- famous Willow Throne, from the Game of Thrones Studio Tour.
The Willow Throne was created by expert weaver Bob Johnston for the Game of Thrones Season 8 premiere in Belfast before residing in The Ulster Museum, which has donated the signature piece to the airport. Built 30% bigger than the actual Iron Throne from the hit HBO TV series, the Willow Throne will invite fans to experience the new Game of Thrones Studio Tour at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge.
The Studio Tour, which opened earlier this year, feature authentic sets including Winterfell, Dragonstone and Kings Landing, costumes and props from the show. The TV series was primarily filmed at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, where Game of Thrones Studio Tour is located.
Naomi Waite, Director of Marketing at Tourism Northern Ireland, said: “The Willow Throne display is a fantastic opportunity to give visitors from near and far a giant welcome to the land of Game of Thrones.
“Data from OAG paints a positive picture of a bounce back in access to Northern Ireland this summer, with air seat capacity to Northern Ireland expected to be at 89% of the level seen
in the same period in 2019. As consumer sentiment shows a strong pent-up demand to travel, we look forward to seeing the smiles and sharing the social media posts from visitors coming through Belfast International Airport.”
To book tickets for Game of Thrones Studio Tour, visit:
www.gameofthronesstudiotour.com
Credit: Matt Makey/Presseye.com
A Lannister Guard and Unsullied soldier from the hit TV show Game of Thrones welcome the giant Willow Throne that will greet tourists at Belfast International Airport, introducing them to new Game of Thrones Studio Tour at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge.
22 SEPTEMBER 2022