Photo via VisitBritain
The name is Britain, Great Britain.
While the movie "Spectre" is being ballyhooed by cast, crew and Sony Pictures executives, no entity seems to be happier about the next chapter in the James Bond franchise than VisitBritain, which is using the opportunity to remind you fellow travelers how absolutely wonderful this country is.
The national tourism organization has launched a "Bond is GREAT" campaign in conjunction with the release of the 24th film featuring James Bond.
For the uninitiated, Daniel Craig reprises his role as the legendary, not-so-secret spy who in this movie goes against the sinister Franz Oberhauser (Christoph Waltz).
Fans of the franchise or admirers of the grand swath of country embodied by Great Britain can glimpse just a touch of what is at the heart of the Bond is GREAT campaign at the official website.
There you will find items like this exclusive behind-the-scenes video that illustrates the importance London plays in the upcoming film:
A press release offers a bit more on what to expect in the coming weeks: "As the official national tourism partner for the theatrical release of SPECTRE, VisitBritain's global campaign is using a mix of outdoor billboards, print, digital and social media."
There will even be snazzy images such as the following to bring Bond is GREAT to photographic fruition:
Photo via VisitBritain
And there will be the opportunity for those not in Britain to experience a bit of the nation's more recognizable locations.
The website, for example, will offer 360-degree experiences of places such as Blenheim Palace, Camden, Westminster Bridge and City Hall.
VisitBritain's Chief Executive Officer Sally Balcombe offered the following on the importance of the campaign: "We know that the link between tourism and film is a potent one. Recent films have demonstrated that they deliver a real increase in visitor numbers with just under half of our potential visitors to Britain wanting to visit places they have seen featured in films or TV so we are doing everything we can to capitalise on this 'set-jetting' phenomenon. That's why we are working hard to encourage and inspire more people to holiday in Britain through our 'Bond is GREAT Britain' campaign, leading to a measurable increase in international visitor numbers and visitor spend across the nations and regions of Britain."
As you will undoubtedly notice, you can also enter for a chance at living like Bond for a spell.
Simply type out your best Bond adventure and you might win a prize that "includes a chauffeur-driven Aston Martin to get you around, an exclusive afterhours Champagne tour of Madame Tussauds and a stay at a luxury Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel in London."
Officials can already point to success of past campaigns. A similar effort took place in 2012 with the release of "Skyfall."
As the press release states, there was a definite influx of tourism thanks to Mr. Bond: "That campaign positively affected travel with 16 percent of people who recalled the Bond is GREAT campaign having booked a trip to Britain and 35 percent of those who recalled the advert saying they strongly intend to visit Britain in the next three years."
You can dive right in to experience more at the website. As for the movie, you will have to be a tad more patient.
The movie comes out in the U.S. on Nov. 6, while it will be released internationally on Oct. 26.
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