VisitBritain Launches Fun AI Accent Game to Inspire US Vistors
If you like playing fun games to kill time at the airport or while traveling. Well, this one might pique your interest. VisitBritain launched an online game as part of its new multi-million-pound international campaign in the United States for 2023 to drive tourism to Britain.
The campaign, called Fake (Br)it Till You Make It, highlights the richness of Britain’s regional diversity. A new online game on VisitBritain’s consumer website tests players as they have a go at mastering a variety of accents from across Britain and then sharing links with destination information to drive bookings. Participants in the game are encouraged to share their results on social media and challenge their friends using the hashtag #FakeBritChallenge.
The ‘Fake (Br)it Till You Make It’ campaign has been developed to play on the idea of shared language between the US and Britain. VisitBritain’s research shows that feelings of welcome and connection are top motivators for US travelers in choosing a holiday destination, and the campaign builds on existing cultural ties by inviting visitors to learn more about the accents they have heard through British film and TV and by highlighting the personal connections and fun, unexpected experiences to be found on their next trip to Britain.
The multi-media marketing campaign uses a mix of on-and-offline channels including content across social media, influencers, custom content partners, digital display, and audio advertising, driving online traffic to a landing page on VisitBritain.com with links to activities, attractions, and experiences.
Branded content features a variety of local phrases alongside destination images, and a series of short films that show Brits sharing a warm welcome in local accents and dialects promoting their destinations and encouraging visitors to come and explore the specific locale.
The US is Britain’s largest and most valuable market and has been one of the strongest long-haul markets to recover. Visitors from the US spent a record £4.6 billion ($5.6 billion) in the UK between January-September 2022, up 40% on the same months in 2019. It’s hoped that the new consumer campaign will build on this momentum to drive further growth and visitor spending across Britain.
“Our priority is to harness the strong recovery and growth we have seen from the US, and we are delighted to be running this dedicated and playful campaign, tapping into motivations to travel right now,” said Paul Gauger, VisitBritain Executive Vice President for The Americas, Australia, and New Zealand. “This innovative game puts Britain’s diversity front and center, using modern technology to engage players, tell the story of our dynamic destinations, and inspire visitors from the US to discover more, stay longer, and explore year-round.”
The campaign will also capture major events in 2023 including the Coronation of King Charles III and Liverpool hosting the Eurovision Song Contest, on behalf of Ukraine, both taking place in May. These are valuable opportunities to show Britain’s welcome, creativity, and its ability to host events of the highest caliber.
Separate campaigns in the US are also running in March, including a joint campaign with British Airways as well as a test pilot of a cooperative marketing program with the US and UK tourism industry to drive direct bookings. Marketing activity is also underway through VisitBritain’s GREAT Gateway Innovation Fund to boost visits through regional gateways.
VisitBritain’s ‘See Things Differently’ campaign is part of the UK Government’s GREAT campaign.
