Visit the Science Museum with physicist Professor Stephen Hawking
See a West End show with Jessie J
Visit the Royal Opera House with world-famous Spanish singer and conductor, Plácido Domingo
Take afternoon tea at Lord’s Cricket Ground with Downton Abbey’s butler Carson, actor Jim Carter
Dine with Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton
VISITLONDON.COM, the official Visitor Guide to the capital, together with the GREAT Britain campaign, have launched an international search to find London’s Official Guest of Honour, who will have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience London as never before. The capital city and its most famous residents and locations are rolling out the red carpet and have together created a city break made up of amazing magic moments.
The winning guest will be invited to London in February 2015 and will have the unique honor of opening Tower Bridge, the most famous bridge in the world, seeing a West End musical with international singing star Jessie J and visiting the Science Museum with renowned physicist Professor Stephen Hawking. Downton Abbey’s butler Carson – actor Jim Carter – will provide the winner with afternoon tea at Lord’s Cricket Ground; and the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Rt Hon John Bercow MP, will take the Guest of Honour behind the scenes of the Houses of Parliament. The Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton will personally cook a meal for the Official Guest of Honour at one of the capital’s best restaurants and both the world-famous singer and conductor, Plácido Domingo and British ballerina and “Strictly Come Dancing” judge Darcey Bussell will take the winner to one of their favorite theatres in the world, the Royal Opera House. As part of the experience, the Guest of Honour will fire the guns from HMS Belfast, walk the red carpet at a film premiere in Central London, and meet the English tennis star Tim Henman for a VIP tour of the All England Tennis Club, which hosts The Wimbledon Championships.
To apply to be London’s Official Guest of Honour, entrants must go to Visitlondon.com, submit a short film or image and in 70 words describe their perfect day in London. The closing date is 9th December 2014 and participants must be aged 18 and over. For all terms and conditions see the visitlondon.com website.
Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, said: “London is ready to welcome our Guest of Honour in style. This is an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in the greatest city in the world, in the greatest possible way and I know the winner will take home something special, something unique, something that they will never forget.”
Music star Jessie J adds: “My career began on the legendary stage of Aldwych Theatre with my first professional performance so I’m absolutely thrilled to give London’s Official Guest of Honour a personal tour of this iconic venue.”
Plácido Domingo, the world-famous opera singer and conductor, said: “I first performed at the Royal Opera House in London in 1971 as Cavaradossi in Tosca and I am delighted to be able to show the Guest of Honour around one of my favourite Opera houses in the world and a special place for me.”
The Guest of Honour will be announced in January next year and will be invited to visit the capital in early February 2015 with an accompanying guest. They will stay in a luxury suite, the official Guest of Honour residence, at Radisson Blu Edwardian, Mercer Street. London’s Official Guest of Honour will be hosted throughout the break by London & Partners, the Mayor’s promotional company, which has worked with partners across the capital to make this dream trip come true.
The Official Guest of Honour experience will also have a chance to be a Keeper for the day at ZSL London Zoo and receive an All Access Pass to London’s most celebrated fashion hub, Oxford Street, including VIP styling and a £5,000 shopping spree. Highlights of the spectacular two-week holiday experience will be captured on film for the rest of the world to see.
London has experienced a post-Olympic 2012 tourism boost with significant increases in the numbers of people visiting the city. In 2013, according to official figures, the city welcomed a record 16.8 million international visitors. The respected Mastercard Global Cities Index, which recently announced that London was the most visited city on earth, has also projected the capital will host 18.7 million international visitors in 2014.
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@visitlondon
*Competition details:
Applicants must be 18 years old or over
The competition is open to residents of the UK (excepting residents of the Greater London area), the United States of America, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Australia
Entrants must submit a short film or image and in 70 words describe their perfect day in London. Entries will be submitted via www.visitlondon.com/guest
Entries close 9 December 2014 or when 50,000 entries have been received
The Guest of Honour will be selected by a Panel including London & Partners, the Mayor of London’s official promotional company and an independent moderator who will ensure a fair and open process is followed in the selection of the Guest of Honour
The selected Guest of Honour will be able to bring their own guest to accompany them
** See full competition terms and conditions at www.visitlondon.com/guest
The Magic Moments include:
Go backstage at a West End show with singer Jessie J and enjoy VIP seats for BEAUTIFUL – The Carole King Musical at the Aldwych Theatre
Have afternoon tea with Downton Abbey’s, Jim Carter, at Lord’s Cricket Ground
Visit the Science Museum with renowned physicist Professor Stephen Hawking
Enjoy a six course meal cooked by Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton
Tour the Royal Opera House with world-famous singer and conductor, Plácido Domingo and internationally famed prima ballerina and Strictly Come Dancing judge, Darcey Bussell
Go on a guided tour of the Houses of Parliament with Speaker of the House of Commons Rt Hon John Bercow MP
Raise the most famous bridge in the world -Tower Bridge
Tour the Wimbledon Grounds and Museum with British tennis star Tim Henman
Walk the red carpet at a film premiere in Central London
Enjoy a VIP shopping experience on Oxford Street
Be a Keeper for the day at ZSL London Zoo, the world’s first scientific zoo
Edit a page of the “London Life” section of the Evening Standard newspaper
Fire the guns from the warship, HMS Belfast a privilege normally reserved for special events
About London & Partners
London & Partners is the official promotional company for London. We promote London and attract businesses, events, congresses, students and visitors to the capital. Our aims are to build London’s international reputation and to attract investment and visitor spend, which create jobs and growth.
London & Partners is a not-for-profit public private partnership, funded by the Mayor of London and our network of commercial partners.
For more information visit www.londonandpartners.com
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