13 Feb 2018
Bear Grylls plans to 'bring adventure to the millions' with new survival attraction
BY Tom Anstey
Celebrity survivalist Bear Grylls has said that he wants visitors to “bring adventure to millions”, with the launch of his new adventure attraction in Birmingham, UK, later this year.
Targeting the adventure-based experiences market, the £20m (US$26.7m, €22.8m) Bear Grylls Adventure attraction being developed by Merlin Entertainments will be split up into five areas, with each offering a different set of activities based on Grylls’ high adrenaline experiences and past expeditions.
“I wanted to create a large scale attraction so you don’t have to travel the world to get a real taste of adventure,” said Grylls.
“We found during market research that 18 per cent of the British population rarely get to do anything outside of their comfort zone. With Bear Grylls Adventure, we’re here to help change that.”
In October last year, Merlin CEO Nick Varney revealed plans to further expand the adventure concept, taking the Bear Grylls brand overseas in a major attractions rollout, with likely destinations including the US and China. The Birmingham park will be the first to open.
Merlin holds an exclusive deal for a rollout of the attraction under the Bear Grylls name, with that agreement running until 2026. Similar to Merlin’s existing deal with Lego, that agreement could be extended as new Bear Grylls attractions open worldwide.
“The adventure park is all based on experiences that have shaped my life, pushed me to my limits and so often taken me far out of my comfort zone,” said Grylls.
“Those brave enough will have the chance to zip wire out of a chinook helicopter several floors up, then take on a Royal Marines-inspired high ropes course.
“This is all about developing that ‘never give up spirit’ - but to build courage, determination and resourcefulness, we have to experience challenges that stretch us. That’s what we do at Bear Grylls Adventure in spades.”
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