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Comments (10)
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Save/ShareMore than 60 readers have written in with their picks for most notable tourism slogans.
Robert asks about Australia's doozy of a slogan: "Where the bloody hell are you?"
That one certainly gained some free P.R., but not always positive, as it was banned in some countries.
Kristine writes in about her home state, whose current slogan is: "Kansas, As big as you think."
I live here and I have no idea what that means! Most people have no idea where we are except "somewhere in the middle?" How would they know how big (or not) Kansas really is?? Sure wouldn't make me want to come here.
Jerry offers a current classic: "I Feel Slovenia."
This tourism slogan is slightly less hilarious if you boldface the "love" part of "Slovenia"—but not much. It's a shame. The awkward slogan makes Slovenia—beautiful country, lovely people—sound something like "Molvania: A Land Untouched by Modern Dentistry." [Editor's note: See our earlier post on Molvania.]
Cristina adds:
Top on my list is Alaska's ad campaign on billboards that said B4UDIE, as in "see Alaska—BEFORE YOU DIE!" Also, my country's is awful (Chile): All Ways Surprising. Thankfully they're changing it next year.
Dale had this to say about Santa Fe, NM's slogan "The City Different"
"The City Different" is the slogan lousy.
See the full list by reading the comments on our blog post "Careful with those tourism slogans!"
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I don't agree that Santa Fe's slogan, "The City Different," is lousy. At first I wasn't sure about it, but it's grown on me. It is truly an unusual city and the syntax reversal is clever. I've seen bumper stickers that say "The City Dipherent," which I like even more.
Here are two that put me to sleep:
"Let's Talk Colorado" (from a few years ago)
Phoenix's new one to promote its downtown renewal: "Arizona's Urban Heart"
Posted By Regina on October 15, 2009, 2:43 PM
How about:
"Missouri Loves Company"
I always thought that would be a funny "bad-slogan". It isn't real as far as I know...but you never know with Missouri!
Posted By Craig on October 15, 2009, 3:53 PM
Oakland, California, my home, had a cute slogan in 1990, "it's hot, it's happening, it's Oakland." Then 2 years after the Loma Prieta Quake in 1989 (both in October), we had a huge urban wildfire, 3000 homes were destroyed and they banned it. Later they made it , "Oakland, Hometown to the World." And for all you scoffers, it is a great little city of neighborhoods representing many countries and cultures. Our Chinatown is really the best, most authentic one in the US. Forget SF's Chinatown. Try the real thing in Oakland!
Posted By Pamela Drake on October 15, 2009, 6:01 PM
I live in Delaware, USA, where the state slogan is "It's Good Being First," a reference to Delaware being the first former colony to sign tne new Constitution. I thought "It's Good Being Small" would be more fitting, but that didn't go over too well for some reason.
Posted By Wendy on October 15, 2009, 7:57 PM
Spokane WA has come up with a good one however some folks make fun of it, "near nature near perfect". It's because there are 50 lakes with an hours drive plus mountains etc. There are always nay sayers to any slogan but I kind of like ours.
Posted By Donna on October 15, 2009, 9:31 PM
It's not a real slogan, but the very guys who fish lobster out of the ocean in Maine and sell them to tourists have an "If it's tourist season, why can't we shoot them?" bumper sticker on their Fords! How's that for irony?
Posted By Kathy on October 16, 2009, 7:35 AM
Many of us in Indiana have been advocating for the slogan, "Hoosier Daddy?"
Posted By Beth Gazley on October 16, 2009, 1:46 PM
Here's a couple for areas in So. CA/ central coast CA:
San Luis Obispo: as long as I can remember has been called "SLO town" (pronounced "slow town") & it does have a much slower pace to life than nearby, somewhat glitzier Santa Barbara (which we have always called Santa Boob-erah (can I write that?) for it's notoriety for a get away from L.A. for the rich & famous show biz crowd). And , of course, my hometown L.A. has always been known to Central Coast/ Northern California/ Oregon as "Smell-A" famous for our smog laden valleys......
Although things are better than they were even 10 years ago, Los Angelenos are still in love with their cars! Like the Motels' song: "Only a Nobody Walks in L.A.!"
Posted By Debby Schlesinger on October 16, 2009, 3:07 PM
Oh Beth- "Hoosier Daddy?" Now THAT'S funny! It makes me want to visit, although I'm not quite sure why!;-)
Posted By Pete on December 15, 2009, 4:37 AM
I have to correct all '80s L.A. music references.
"Walking in L.A." is by Missing Persons and not the Motels.
Missing Persons also had other hits such as "Words," "Destination Unknown" and "Mental Hopscotch."
Posted By Scooby on January 21, 2010, 2:31 PM