TITANIC Belfast, famously once named as the world's leading visitor attraction, will close for nine weeks in early 2023 to allow work to take place on a multi-million pound refreshment programme to completely reimagine the iconic Titanic Experience.
It comes after a busy high season for the attraction, which has just welcomed its seven millionth visitor.
Money for the revamp is coming from the Titanic Belfast Gallery Refreshment Fund, established when the building opened as part of the commercial operator agreement and held by the charity owner Maritime Belfast Trust.
And during the refreshment period, Titanic Belfast will be closed from Monday January 2 until Tuesday February 28.
In the interim, visitors will still be able to enjoy the Titanic story with two daily outdoor Discovery Tours to showcase the iconic building and historic slipways.
A new standalone ticket for SS Nomadic, RMS Titanic’s tender ship, has also been launched to give people the chance to visit the last remaining White Star Line ship in the world which will be animated by the attraction’s passionate and knowledgeable crew.
Throughout this period of closure, staff will also undertake intensive training in preparation for the relaunch of the Titanic Experience, operate a retail and hospitality offering at SS Nomadic and continue to deliver a number of events in the Titanic Suites.
Titanic Belfast opened in 2012 at a cost of around £100 million, and contains more than 12,000 sq metres (130,000 sq ft) of floor space, most of which is occupied by a series of galleries, private function rooms and community facilities.
Titanic Belfast’s head of operations Denise Kennedy said: “We're looking forward to embarking on our most ambitious project and single largest investment to date, which will see the Titanic Experience transformed.
“Dreaming big is in our DNA, and just like the designers who created Titanic, we continually innovate how we tell her story and find new ways to capture the imagination.
“We will continue to push boundaries with immersive technology, original maritime heritage and the authentic Titanic story, to deliver an enriched, emotive visitor experience.”
Denise added: “We're confident the reimagined experience will amaze visitors and sustain Titanic Belfast as a world-class ‘must-see’ global visitor attraction for years to come.”
