Australia appears to be struggling to boost its tourism industry, as it was announced on the BBC Radio4 Today Programme this morning that the country’s tourism board is set to release an epic romance featuring two of the nation’s most famous actors.

The film entitled “Australia” includes X-Men star Hugh Jackman and The Others star Nicole Kidman in the hope of increasing the influx of travellers downunder. However, Australias last attempt to entice people from overseas -the “So where the bloody hell are you?” campaign- was heavily criticised here in the UK for its offensive use of language by a young Australian model in a bikini, and thus became generally unsuccessful despite its adequate portrayal of the Aussie way of life. After all what could be wrong with going to the pub, the beach and having attractive women passing by? Not a bad country to visit in my opinion.

Figures have been dropping since the days of the Paul Hogan boom following the Crocodile Dundee films of the late 1980s and the revival in 2001, the Bogan appeal beginning to lose effect throughout the last couple of decades.

There is something for everyone in Australia, whether it be the theme parks of the Gold Coast, the scenic backdrops of the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru National Park, or Melbournes spring fashion and Sydneys grand structures. Reasons for visiting the great desert island are limitless. Perhaps an advertising campaign aimed at better demonstrating these assests or depicting the Aboriginal history would be a more effective way to increase the numbers.

                                 

Of course on this matter I am entirely biased, and am honestly so.