Sydney Opera House ©Linh_rOm
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Tourism Australia spent $242 million dollars on a 17-language TV marketing campaign only to be caught up in controversy regarding the the ad’s footage of a couple of law-breaking boozers strolling a beach on Kangaroo Island in South Australia.
The new ad campaign, which began airing this week, is an attempt to get away from the Australian stereotypes of beach babes and rowdy culture that might not appeal to more discerning travelers.
Unfortunately, a shot of a couple strolling the beach on Kangaroo Island with a bottle of wine has drawn criticism. Not only is alcohol banned on that beach, but the visitors also appear not not be accompanied by a ranger–which is apparently mandatory in this particular area.
While most potential tourists probably wont notice the mistake, it does seem odd that an ad which is supposed to depict a more sophisticated and cultured picture of Australia could make such an major gaffe.
Read more at CNN.