VisitBritain: Despite riots, we’ll go on marketing England to Aussies
Tourist body VisitBritain is to push ahead with a planned marketing campaign in Australia and New Zealand despite the violent riots in England this week.
Mark Haynes, marketing manager of VisitBritain, told Mumbrella: “Because the incidences are so fresh it’s too early to anticipate the effect of inbound tourism to the UK. We’re monitoring the situation. It’s such a fresh instant it’s difficult to say how we’ll change things in the future.”
The coverage of the riots has already shifted to Australia’s mainstream travel blogs. The SMH’s widely read Backpacker blog has already warned:
“London has always been a no-brainer for school-leavers on a gap year, but there’d have to be a lot of parents watching the TV over the last few days wondering if that’s such a good idea any more.”
Haynes said he expected that a planned marketing campaign scheduled to run in Australia and New Zealand in the next three months will go ahead. The “You’re Invited” campaign features British celebrities including actress Dame Judy Dench and chef Jamie Oliver.
http://youtu.be/IPrmGtDVXrk
The ad has already generated spoof versions.
http://youtu.be/3gUMdnW_07s
But Haynes claimed that in Australia, VisitBritain had been dealing with “very minimal” concerns from wholesalers and individuals.
He said: “Britain has been very resilient, especially in Australia. We do hope it will be the same again. We have to ensure the situation is monitored. It may mean to go out there with offers together with the trade to encourage people to continue travel.”
Haynes said there were no plans to pull back on promoting the London Olympics which start in 351 days.
“From a tourism perspective the isolated incidences are occurring away from the key visitor tourist attractions,” he said.
I am English “innit” and I ave mates in London “innit”. My chav (bogan) mates in London “nnit” are takin tourists around and showing em the sites “innit” It’s an absolute riot” – “Innit”
“innit”
“Innit”
(“Innit” is like the way bogan’s in Oz say “but” at the end of their sentances…)
Surely someone can do a better spoof then the one embedded above? Anyone?
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Apparently the Blackberry is the phone of choice for the young, urban, looting, rioting mob. Does this give the usually conceptual business gadget a bit of street cred? (Bad publicity is good publicity an alll…)
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Visit britain- just avoid England. You’re warned: and there’s nothing like going to countries where you can’t understand the locals.
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