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Issue 42 September/October 2011 £2.75
Artworks in global promotion By Christina Eccles VISITBRITAIN has unveiled the second phase of its global You’re Invited campaign, with 10 unique artworks leaving London for a worldwide tour promoting Britain all over the world. 3D street artists Joe and Max were commissioned to create the interactive artworks for VisitBritain, which allow members of the public to insert themselves virtually into some of Britain’s most iconic landmarks. The artworks will be displayed in 10 key locations around the world, with those who have their photo taken on the canvas entering into a competition that will include a pair of British Airways Club World return flights to the UK. Chief executive Sandie Dawe said: “Great Britain 3D is the first ever global tour of 3D art with the sole purpose of promoting a destination to an overseas audience. This is a fun, engaging and effective way of taking some of Britain’s most famous icons right into the heart of cities around the world. “This marks an important new
phase of our ‘You’re Invited’ campaign that is an open invitation to the world to come and join us before, during and after 2012. “Working in partnership with the industry, our aim over the next four years is to secure £2b of extra spending by overseas visitors across Britain. That will see a whole range of great deals and new products launched to encourage those considering a visit to Britain that now is the time to do so and turn their plans into actions.” Tourism Minister John Penrose added: “The tourism industry is leading the way in growing our economy, but the best is yet to come. “VisitBritain’s ‘You’re Invited’ campaign is a brilliant way of promoting our country to overseas visitors, and I’m really pleased that the Abbey Road zebra crossing – which I recently gave ‘listed building’ status to – is one of the iconic images chosen. The Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee will put us centre stage next year, but it’s good to remind visitors of all the other amazing things that Britain has to offer.” Pictur e, Page 3
Theme parks are ‘too dear’ say 54%
A host of Hollywood stars descended on a War wickshir e ar t galler y to film scenes for new movie Gambit. Actors including Camer on Diaz (pictur ed), Oscar winner Colin Fir th and BAFTA winner Alan Rickman used Compton Ver ney as the backdr op for the film, which is due to be released next year. Compton Ver ney’s dir ector Dr Steven Parissien said: “We ar e delighted to have been chosen as a location for this film. It has been a gr eat experience for us and a pleasur e to work with such a pr estigious and pr ofessional team.” For mor e fr om The Hear t of England, see our dedicated featur e on Page 25
OVER half of Brits believe theme parks are too expensive, according to research from Gocompare.com 54 per cent of those surveyed said a trip to a theme park has become a very expensive holiday treat and less than one in 20 thought they offered good value for money. Aside from the cost of getting through the entrance gate, families are also feeling stung by the high cost of food and drink once they're inside – and 61 per cent of Brits feel the prices charged by theme park restaurants, cafés and drinks stalls are a rip off. Gocompare.com's head of travel Jeremy Cryer said: "Our research shows that most visitors to theme parks come away with a less than glowing view of their day out. Expensive tickets, overpriced food, and hours spent queuing for rides seem to be how most Brits remember their day out. "Alton Towers emerged as the UK's favourite theme park but operators clearly have some work to do when it comes to customer satisfaction."