Aberdeen Science Centre has received the Traveler’s Choice Award from Tripadvisor for the second year in a row, just weeks after achieving 5-star visitor attraction status by VisitScotland. The accolade means Aberdeen Science Centre has kept its place among visitors’ favourites, and is among the top 10% most recommended visitor attractions.
Travelers’ Choice recognises businesses that consistently deliver great service. Businesses that are awarded with this certificate are ranking among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, and to qualify, a visitor attraction must have great reviews from travellers around the globe on Tripadvisor over the last 12 months. Bryan Snelling, chief executive of Aberdeen Science Centre, said the award is extremely valuable, as it directly reflects a visitor’s experience.“We are thrilled to have been awarded the Travellers’ Choice award by Tripadvisor again, especially as it is based solely on the feedback from our visitors.
“The team has done an amazing job engaging and supporting visitors to the science centre, and that’s often pointed out along with our fascinating science experiments in the reviews.”Aberdeen Science Centre has 92 reviews on Tripadvisor, and 84 visitors have rated their visit as excellent. Alongside the brilliant staff and interactive exhibits, visitors praise a lovely dog-friendly café, clean washrooms and mention that they spent longer time than they expected. “Great afternoon”, “spent hours”, “great place to visit with kids” are among the most popular mentions.
Mr Snelling also announced that due to high popularity, school trips are fully booked until the end of this school year, and bookings for August and September are also filling up. “We’ve had some fantastic feedback from our corporate customers, so we’re definitely looking forward to developing that branch even more,” he said. It’s the second major award for Aberdeen Science Centre this spring. In April it was announced that Aberdeen Science Centre had become the second 5-star visitor attraction in Aberdeen. Visit Scotland has given 5 stars only to nine visitor attractions in the North-east.
Kanika Soni, Chief Commercial Officer at Tripadvisor, congratulated the 2022 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Winners. He said: “The Travelers’ Choice Awards recognize the best in tourism and hospitality, according to those who matter most: your guests. Ranking among the Travelers’ Choice winners is always tough — but never more so than this year as we emerge from the pandemic. “Whether it’s using new technology, implementing safety measures, or hiring outstanding staff, I’m impressed by the steps you’ve taken to meet travelers’ new demands. You’ve adapted brilliantly in the face of adversity.”
Aberdeen Science Centre reopened in Autumn 2020, following a major £6million redevelopment project to create an aspirational science centre which reflects the STEM priorities for both industry and education.More than 60 new interactive exhibits over two floors now await visitors, including The OPITO Theatre of Energy – the UK’s first immersive experience of its kind – and RoboThespian, a chatty humanoid robot sponsored by the centre’s Digital Futures Partner, Equinor.
The centre’s exhibits are aimed at all ages and are themed into six zones: Energy; Space; Life Sciences; Make It, Test It; and a dedicated area for the under-6s, as well as the Shell Learning Zone, where science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are brought to life. They support ASC’s commitment to inspire a lifelong interest in science, by creating engaging experiences which are fun, informative and educational.
Natural light floods into the building thanks to an exposed roof structure, creating an airy and modern interior, with flexible corporate meeting spaces and a café operated by Grub. Aberdeen Science Centre’s £4.7million redevelopment was made possible by generous support and funding from the Inspiring Science Fund – a partnership between the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Wellcome – with additional funding provided by Opportunity North East (ONE) and Aberdeen City Council.
The project has secured a further £1.5million from funders and sponsors including OPITO, Shell, Equinor, bp, The Robertson Trust, TAQA and CNOOC International to deliver quality exhibits and programmes to enhance the overall visitor experience at the venue, as well through outreach work