Tourism New Zealand’s latest campaign video takes a tongue-in-cheek swipe at social media influencers by asking people to stop copying photos at popular spots and find new places to enjoy.
The funny video, called “Travelling Under the Social Influence,” shows comedian Tom Sainsbury as a member of the Social Observation Squad, patrolling the country’s top tourist spots for people taking cliché photos.
“I’ve been alerted to a situation that’s been happening a lot lately,” Sainsbury says in the video. “People have been seeing those photos on social media and are going to great lengths to copy them.”
Our friend @ThomasSainsbury from the Social Observation Squad (S.O.S) has been patrolling some of New Zealand’s top tourist spots. He's on a mission to stop New Zealanders from taking photos under the Social Influence. Guess what he found?🚙📸 pic.twitter.com/efZqcgKAMQ
— New Zealand 🇳🇿 (@PureNewZealand) January 27, 2021
“I’ve seen all this before. We all have,” he tells them. “This summer we’re clamping down on anyone traveling under the social influence.”
He then lists some classic influencer shots: “You know them. Hot tub back shot. Man sits quietly on the rock contemplating. Hot dog legs.”
The new call-to-action is part of New Zealand’s long-running “Do Something New” campaign, which is aimed at inspiring more domestic tourism and rediscovering “our backyard with new eyes” while international visitors are restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The video is well-timed, at least in this part of the world: some UK influencers have been criticised for taking unnecessary trips under the guise of ‘essential work.’ This week, fitness blogger Sheridan Mordew was heavily criticised following her appearance on ITV’s ‘This Morning’ programme, where she defended her presence in Dubai as an ‘essential work trip.’
'My job is to motivate people'
Sheridan has been in Dubai since the start of January, on an 'essential work-trip’ to provide sunny content for her followers.
Following an online backlash, she joins us today to defend her position.
Watch the full chat 👉 https://t.co/1VuxanpnIc pic.twitter.com/KUNvs9aMx5
— This Morning (@thismorning) January 26, 2021
