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ENTICING PEOPLE TO visit your country should be an easy task, especially when it’s crammed full of golden beaches, beautiful sights, and cute marsupials.
But some countries go to a whole other level when it comes to promoting themselves – and the results can be utterly baffling. Here’s a look at some of our favourites.
Australia
“Where the bloody hell are you?” isn’t exactly what you’d like to hear roared at you by someone asking you to visit their homeland, but that’s precisely what this Australian tourism ad asked in 2006:
(RobinGood/YouTube)
However, despite the enthusiastic welcome the people behind this ad thought they were sending out, it didn’t quite have the impact they envisioned. People objected to the phrase “bloody hell”, and the UK’s ad watchdog even made them replace the offending ‘bloody‘ with a series of symbols instead. Whoops.
Panama
Things that will never leave you: Bad memories, scars, herpes, and… Panama?
“It Will Never Leave You” might have seemed like the perfect way to convey the impact Panama has on its visitors, or it may just make them feel a bit weird. This ad was even nominated for an award for its failure to hit the mark.
(Edynsson Caballero/YouTube)
Louisville
There are a few things we don’t get about this ad, but mainly the whole thing just makes us tilt our head like a pug.
(LouTelevision/YouTube)
New Mexico
Dribbling aliens who lie at work and try to snitch on their colleagues are probably not the world’s greatest advert for New Mexico, methinks.
(NmToDe/Youtube)
Israel
Back in 2007, the Israeli government wanted to improve their country’s image. So what did they do?
Well, their unorthodox approach included paying for a photoshoot in lads’ mag Maxim featuring female soldiers in bikinis, and making a TV ad that was more about the beauty of Israel’s female inhabitants than, ooh, its history, culture, beaches, hummus…
(SkyNews/YouTube)
New Orleans
New Orleans is an intriguing city, with a fascinating history, inspiring culture, vibrant citizens and incredible architecture.
Plus, it’s Europe, without the Euros.
Oh.
North Dakota
While cheerily enforcing gender stereotypes, this ad asks the not very pertinent question, “RU Legendary?”. The text-speak alone is enough to make us cringe.
(LegendaryND/YouTube)
And finally, the tourism ad campaign that never was…
Trust the Onion to explore what would happen if Lars Von Trier directed a tourism ad campaign for Denmark. Warning: It’s not pretty.
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The ad for Mexico, is actually for new Mexico- hence the alien theme- Roswell, new Mexico
That ad for Denmark is a bit disturbing!
Hey folks – my error on the New Mexico typo, apologies! I know there are the many Roswell references of course, but still feel the ad campaign isn’t the greatest :)
Panama and Israel are now on my wish list
The louisville ad isnt about tourism, unless you use a realtor to book a holiday there.
The Australia spoof is a more accurate depiction of reality downunder from my experience http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=411ueiat2sY
Once you’ve been to Australia, that campaign makes sense, but if you haven’t it does seem a little odd that they’re ‘cursing’ at you!!
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