A Chinese theme park, located in the landlocked province of Sichuan, has revealed plans to create a life-size replica of the Titanic, which will simulate the conditions experienced during the ship’s tragic sinking in 1912.
Proposed by the Seven Star Energy Investment Group, the project will see the creation of a ship to house a simulation that will allow several hundred people at a time to feel what the disaster was like.
It is thought that the mock vessel will cost in the region of RMB1bn (US$165m, £100m €120m) to create.
The attraction is also set to feature a museum celebrating the history and heritage of the ship.
"We think it's worth spreading the spirit of the Titanic. The universal love and sense of responsibility shown during the Titanic shipwreck represent the spiritual richness of human civilisation," said Su Shaojun, chief executive of Seven Star.
"When the ship hits the iceberg, it will shake, it will tumble," Su said. "We will let people experience water coming in by using sound and light effects ... They will think, 'The water will drown me, I must escape with my life'."
The revealing of the proposals, as well as Shaojun’s comments, have raised questions about the potential insensitive nature of the attraction, as well as the impact its creation could have on the relatives of those who lost their lives on the ship.
However, Bernard Hill, who played Captain Edward Smith in the 1997 film adaptation of the incident, has played down fears that the feature could be offensive.
"It's been approached in a very delicate and a very sensitive way and they're very aware of the extent of the disaster in 1912," said Hill, who flew to Hong Kong to show support for the new attraction.
"I don't think it will belittle that disaster."
The Romandisea Seven Star International Cultural Tourism Resort is also set to feature a 6D movie theatre, replicas of a Venetian church and European castles and a man-made beach.
The Titanic brand has proven to be a money-making machine, with the 1997 film earning its developers almost US$2.2bn (£1.3bn, €1.6bn) worldwide since its release.
Other Titanic-focused attractions have experienced success, with the currently touring
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition – which makes use of artifacts and personal stories –having recorded 25 million visitors since beginning its progression across the globe.
More information on the Seven Star Energy Investment Group is available here.
