The previous motto, along with accompanying Twitter hashtags #curiouscounty
and #proudtobecurious, was unveiled in October 2012 but came in for fierce
criticism from local MPs.
David Ruffley, MP for Bury St Edmunds, described it as “idiotic and
meaningless”, adding that "there is nothing curious about what we
have to offer”, while Dr Therese Coffey, MP for Coastal Suffolk, argued that
it did “not give a very clear message” and is “often used as a euphemism for
something that is not quite right.”
From today it is to be replaced with the less controversial phrase ‘Take Me To
Suffolk’. The campaign bills Suffolk as Britain’s greenest county, and an
“ideal spring break” destination. A new website has also been launched at
www.takemetosuffolk.com that includes an interactive map allowing visitors
to browse suggested holiday itineraries or make up their own.
Despite calling time on the ‘Curious County’ campaign, a spokeswoman for Visit
Suffolk declared it a success.
“It boosted the county’s economy by more than £750,000,” she told Telegraph Travel. “To say it was a failure would be incorrect.”
The slogan was not the first time East Anglian tourism authorities faced derision for their re-branding efforts. In 2010, an attempt to re-brand the Norfolk Broads as “Britain’s Magical Waterland” was also heavily criticised.
Several other tourism slogans have attracted controversy in recent years.
A plan to promote Edinburgh under the slogan “Incrediburgh” was also dismissed by local politicians, “So where the bloody hell are you?” was shelved by Australian authorities following complaints, and Switzerland’s “Get natural” mistaken for an order to undress.
“It boosted the county’s economy by more than £750,000,” she told Telegraph Travel. “To say it was a failure would be incorrect.”
The slogan was not the first time East Anglian tourism authorities faced derision for their re-branding efforts. In 2010, an attempt to re-brand the Norfolk Broads as “Britain’s Magical Waterland” was also heavily criticised.
Several other tourism slogans have attracted controversy in recent years.
A plan to promote Edinburgh under the slogan “Incrediburgh” was also dismissed by local politicians, “So where the bloody hell are you?” was shelved by Australian authorities following complaints, and Switzerland’s “Get natural” mistaken for an order to undress.
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