BRISTOLIANS have just one week to back Brunel’s ss Great Britain in the British Travel Awards 2009 before voting closes on September 30.
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 UK’s giant commercial names. The most famous are Alton Towers, Legoland, London Eye, Whipsnade Zoo, Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures.
The ‘Best UK Theme Park/ Attraction’ is just one of a number of categories ranging from boutique hotels to international airlines. 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 from luxury holidays… to family tickets to Brunel’s ss Great Britain!
Brunel’s ss Great Britain has already written letters to its members and supporters, sent out e-shots, has put up posters and signs, and are helping visitors to vote on site.
Businesses from within the tourism sector, and beyond, are backing the ship. They include Destination Bristol, the What’s On Group, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, which have sent out their own e-shots to contacts and customers, and even added the call for votes on their websites. Local Bristol media has also supported the bid through coverage when the nomination was announced in August.
Brunel’s ss Great Britain is the only independent museum and visitor attraction nominated for the British Travel Awards. Winning the award would be a great honour for Brunel’s ss Great Britain, but it would also help put the spotlight on Bristol for travel industry, travel writers, and VisitBritain, the official tourism body for the UK.
Visitor Services and Retail Manager at Brunel’s ss Great Britain, Keith Stanton, urged: “There is only one week left before voting closes on September 30 in the British Travel Awards. Trustees, staff and volunteers are urging people to take a few minutes to go online and show their support for Brunel’s ss Great Britain.
“We are up against the UK’s giant commercial names, and we are the only attraction or theme park nominated in the region. These awards are important in the world of tourism, and winning would mean that travel writers and VisitBritain would take more interest in Bristol and what this city has to offer, including of course Brunel’s Great Britain.”
He added: “We are hugely grateful for the support we have already received from individuals and businesses within Bristol and the region. Please vote, ask you family, friends and colleagues to vote, and hopefully we will be in with a chance of beating the biggest names in the leisure industry!”
Marketing Manager for Destination Bristol Feisal Khalif commented: “There is no doubt that Brunel’s ss Great Britain is helping to draw visitors into the region and the city. It is accolades, like the British Travel Awards, which help to raise awareness of what this great city has to offer. I have already voted for Brunel’s ss Great Britain and I am urging others to take a few minutes to go online and vote for the ship.”
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’.
Visitors are wowed by the ship surrounded by her stunning 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, is available for Christmas parties, venue hire and weddings, and was recently awarded silver in the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
- To support Brunel’s ss Great Britain please click here and follow the instructions.
- Autumn events at Brunel’s ss Great Britain include the ‘Vile Victorians’ trail (September), ‘Grandparent’s Day treat’ (October 4); ‘Horrid Torrid Tales Trail’ (October 24 to November 1), Mr Brunel (October 24 to November 1, except October 28), ‘Ratcatcher’s Halloween’ storytelling (October 31 and November 1). Events are included in admission and tickets allow for unlimited free return visits for a year.
For further information, pictures or interviews please call the ss Great Britain Trust’s Head of Marketing & Communications Dagmar Smeed on 0117 926 0680 ext 219. Journalists can receive up-to-date news alerts by registering on-line at www.ssgreatbritain.org.