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BRUNEL’S ss Great Britain is urging Bristolians and visitors alike to vote for the ship in the highly prestigious ‘British Travel Awards 2009’.
The Bristol icon has been nominated to stand against the biggest visitor attractions in the UK – in what is being seen as a ‘David and Goliath’ type challenge.
Brunel’s ss Great Britain – an independent museum and registered charity – will be up against the biggest commercial names in the sector. The most famous are all owned by the multi-billion pound Merlin Entertainments Group Ltd and are Alton Towers, Legoland, London Eye, Whipsnade Zoo, Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures. Lesser known Paultons Park and Bicester Village (retail park) are also shortlisted. |
The ‘Best UK Theme Park/ Attraction’ is just one of a number of categories ranging from international airlines to boutique hotels. Winners of ‘The British Travel Awards 2009’, held in association with Lloyds TSB Cardnet, will be announced at a ceremony on November 5.
Organisers gathered nominations from consumers and industry professionals earlier in the year. Now the public has until September 30 to vote for their favourite attraction. As an added incentive for people to vote online, the award organisers are giving away travel prizes.
Mr Brunel, who is on board ship throughout the summer holidays, enthused: “Of course I am rather biased. I think Brunel’s ss Great Britain is the best, but we do need people to vote!
“We have a stunning glass ‘sea’, visitors descend into the Dry Dock, before stepping back in
time in the Dockyard Museum and testing their nautical skills, before finally exploring the ship and discovering what life would have been like for Victorian passengers and crew.”
He urged: “Please take a few minutes out of your day to vote for Brunel’s ss Great Britain!”
Mr Brunel, now in his 203rd year, added: “Brunel’s ss Great Britain is competing against the very biggest visitor attractions and theme parks in the UK. We are unique, we in Bristol, and we offer great days out whatever the weather.
“This is being billed as a ‘David and Goliath’ type challenge, and with the public’s support we are in with a chance to win this award for Bristol!”
Brunel’s ss Great Britain has attracted international acclaim following completion of the £11.3 million conservation and restoration project and ‘re-launch’ in 2005.
Awards to date have included the Enjoy England Excellence Awards for ‘Large Visitor Attraction of the Year 2007’ and ‘Outstanding Customer Service 2009’, and the Gulbenkian Prize for ‘Museum of the Year 2006’.
Today visitors are met by the stunning vision of the ship afloat on her own glass ‘sea’, they descend under water to view the ss Great Britain from below, before stepping back in time in the Dockyard Museum and boarding ship to discover the lives of Victorian passengers and crew.
In surveys 100% of visitors state they enjoyed their visit and 100% said they would recommend a visit to family, friends and colleagues.
Brunel’s ss Great Britain is also exceptional value for money, with events included and admission providing free return visits for a year. It is also fully accessible for visitors with disabilities and was recently awarded silver in the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
• To support Brunel’s ss Great Britain please go to the 'British Travel Awards' page and click on the links.
• Summer events at Brunel’s ss Great Britain include: Sinbad the Ship’s Cat trail (to September 2); Mr Brunel visits (excepting Monday and August 27); Sticky Ships collage workshops (August 8, 15, and 29); Crimean Troopship and Victorian Surgeon (August 22 and 23). Events are included in admission and tickets allow for unlimited free return visits for a year.
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