VisitEngland has launched a new tourism campaign based around the idea that "Holidays at Home are GREAT." Rupert Grint and Julie Waters (Mrs. Weasley) are currently appearing in a TV ad for this campaign:
“2012 is going to be a year like no other in our history, with the
Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the Olympics,” Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt said. “With so much going on, this is the perfect time to make the most of the UK and take your holiday here.”
James Berresford, VisitEngland’s Chief Executive, said: “We have
thousands of offers up and down the country, which means a family can
enjoy great deals on accommodation, meals and tickets to attractions at
very affordable prices. Now is the time to holiday at home – there is no
comparison anywhere else in the world with what’s on offer here in the
UK this year.”
Also appearing in the ad are Stephen Fry (recorded the Harry Potter audiobooks in the UK) and Michelle Dockery, who plays Mary Crawley in the series Downton Abbey. You can watch the ad here and a behind the scenes look at the making of the ad here, or you can watch both below.
Here’s an entrepreneurial idea: Some ginger family in the UK should remodel some ramshackle building to resemble the Burrow, then turn it into a bed-and-breakfast and roleplay members of the Weasley family for their guests’ entertainment. (If anybody asks where all the others are, just point to Molly’s admirable clock.) I would think that many people would pay to stay in such a place. Too bad Warner Brothers’ legal department would probably squelch it in a heartbeat.
Well, since I’m not coming from the UK, I can only agree that holidays in the UK are great, and much much better than the ones at home ;o)
But then, I’ve been a great fan of the UK since I was something like 10 years old (which was even quite some years before Jo thought of HP).
Of course, being the country where Harry originated, has helped to keep the country interesting. Places like Alnwick Castle, Gloucester Cathedral and Lacock are lovely to visit, and the HP connection adds just that little extra. This Summer I’m steering clear from this country though, because the Jubilee celebrations and the Olympics don’t interest me at all. And it will probably be more crouded than ever.
"Honestly, am I the [i]only[/i] person who's ever bothered to read [i]Hogwarts, A History[/i]?" said Hermione crossly to Harry and Ron.[br]"Probably," said Ron.
Very interesting. A little “California-esque” on the commercial design for sure.