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NEWS
VisitBritain turns to Paddington in latest promotional campaign
POSTED 26 Oct 2017 . BY Tom Anstey
VisitBritain has partnered with StudioCanal on the campaign, which will be driven through an online hub and on social media Credit: StudioCanal
VisitBritain is turning to a bear from Peru to boost tourism, with a new film campaign inspired by the upcoming release of Paddington 2.

Last year set a record for inbound tourism to Britain on visits and spend, with 37.6 million visits up 4 per cent on 2015, and visitors spending £22.5bn (US$29.8bn, €25.1bn), up 2 per cent.

The Paddington sequel, based on the children’s book series by English author Michael Bond, follows the young bear as he explores London. Among the many iconic locations featured in the film are Tower Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral, London Paddington station, Portobello Road and Little Venice.



VisitBritain has partnered with StudioCanal on the campaign, which will be driven through an online hub and on social media. Visitors to the hub will able able to view Paddington-themed content, including an interactive marmalade-inspired menu, and bookable visitor experiences. Promoting ease of travel around the UK, the campaign also includes a competition to win a family trip to Britain to explore London by train.

“With his distinctive blue coat and his love of marmalade, this Peruvian bear, who made Britain his home, helps to inspire visitors from around the world to come and explore the wonderful and exciting experiences that the UK has to offer,” said Clare Mullin, VisitBritain’s director of marketing.

"Our collaboration with StudioCanal is a fantastic opportunity to promote to a global audience of millions the fun and adventurous destinations that can only be experienced on a trip to Britain, be it afternoon tea in central London, taking a stroll around one of the many parks and gardens, or catching a train for a new adventure from Paddington station.”

According to VisitBritain research, pop culture is a powerful motivator for travel, with more than a third of all potential visitors to Britain wanting to visit places they have seen in film or on TV.

Ireland and Northern Ireland have both capitalised on this trend, focusing tourism campaigns around the Star Wars and Game of Thrones franchises.

Earlier this year, VisitBritain also launched its “Magical Britain” campaign, which was launched to coincide with the 20th anniversary of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. In Scotland, tourism chiefs have banked on a film adaptation of Compton MacKenzie’s 1947 novel Whisky Galore to boost visitor numbers in some of the country’s lesser-known areas, while further afield, Japan has designated 88 anime 'sacred spots' in effort to boost international tourism.
MORE NEWS
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
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NEWS
VisitBritain turns to Paddington in latest promotional campaign
POSTED 26 Oct 2017 . BY Tom Anstey
VisitBritain has partnered with StudioCanal on the campaign, which will be driven through an online hub and on social media Credit: StudioCanal
VisitBritain is turning to a bear from Peru to boost tourism, with a new film campaign inspired by the upcoming release of Paddington 2.

Last year set a record for inbound tourism to Britain on visits and spend, with 37.6 million visits up 4 per cent on 2015, and visitors spending £22.5bn (US$29.8bn, €25.1bn), up 2 per cent.

The Paddington sequel, based on the children’s book series by English author Michael Bond, follows the young bear as he explores London. Among the many iconic locations featured in the film are Tower Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral, London Paddington station, Portobello Road and Little Venice.



VisitBritain has partnered with StudioCanal on the campaign, which will be driven through an online hub and on social media. Visitors to the hub will able able to view Paddington-themed content, including an interactive marmalade-inspired menu, and bookable visitor experiences. Promoting ease of travel around the UK, the campaign also includes a competition to win a family trip to Britain to explore London by train.

“With his distinctive blue coat and his love of marmalade, this Peruvian bear, who made Britain his home, helps to inspire visitors from around the world to come and explore the wonderful and exciting experiences that the UK has to offer,” said Clare Mullin, VisitBritain’s director of marketing.

"Our collaboration with StudioCanal is a fantastic opportunity to promote to a global audience of millions the fun and adventurous destinations that can only be experienced on a trip to Britain, be it afternoon tea in central London, taking a stroll around one of the many parks and gardens, or catching a train for a new adventure from Paddington station.”

According to VisitBritain research, pop culture is a powerful motivator for travel, with more than a third of all potential visitors to Britain wanting to visit places they have seen in film or on TV.

Ireland and Northern Ireland have both capitalised on this trend, focusing tourism campaigns around the Star Wars and Game of Thrones franchises.

Earlier this year, VisitBritain also launched its “Magical Britain” campaign, which was launched to coincide with the 20th anniversary of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. In Scotland, tourism chiefs have banked on a film adaptation of Compton MacKenzie’s 1947 novel Whisky Galore to boost visitor numbers in some of the country’s lesser-known areas, while further afield, Japan has designated 88 anime 'sacred spots' in effort to boost international tourism.
RELATED STORIES
UK sees record tourist numbers as exchange rate falls


Overseas visits to the UK hit a record 23 million in the first seven months of the year, according to new figures from VisitBritain.
Tourism industry launches strategy to boost growth post-Brexit


The Tourism Sector Deal – a strategic plan developed by a consortium of leading tourism organisations – has been launched to help grow tourism in the UK post-Brexit.
£2.5m ‘staycation’ campaign to target young UK adults


VisitBritain as launched a UK-wide campaign to encourage the country’s young adult population to take their holiday at home.
Weak pound attracts record number of visitors in June


The UK attracted a record number of overseas visitors during June – thanks largely to the collapse in the value of the pound since the Brexit vote.
MORE NEWS
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford– Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
IAAPA EMEA

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
Clip 'n Climb

Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and investors more than 40 colourful and unique Cha [more...]
QubicaAMF UK

QubicaAMF is the largest and most innovative bowling equipment provider with 600 employees worldwi [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


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Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

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