Australian state’s tourism campaign labeled ‘shameful’ after TikTok influencers were recruited to prove it’s NOT the most boring place ever
- South Australia pays influencers to promote the region
- Campaign to prove it’s not the ‘most boring state ever’
South Australia’s tourism authorities have been slammed for using taxpayer money to pay 12 influencers to convince would-be travelers it’s not ‘the most boring state ever’.
In an effort to boost tourism, they offered influencers a ‘trip of a lifetime’ in exchange for the social media stars highlighting all the things to do in South Australia.
The move has come under fire from the state opposition, which called the campaign “shameful” and said it should not have been funded with public money.
The influencers, consisting of 12 TikTok stars, were given four-day packages worth thousands of dollars to promote the state.
Many posted promotional video content to a popular TikTok sound saying: “Ready to run amok in the most boring state ever?”
‘There really isn’t much to do in Adelaide, is there?’
A South Australian tourism campaign that paid influencers to visit the state to prove it isn’t ‘the most boring state ever’ was denounced as a waste of taxpayers’ money (Photo: TikTok influencer Chloe Grayling)
Influencers involved included Chloe Grayling and the Mescia twins who mainly post fashion tips and “a day in the life” videos.
The posts followed the sled and then changed to show the diverse experiences the influencers were paid to showcase the oceans, rolling hills and wildlife.
The tourism commission said: “A diverse mix of 12 creators landed in SA to embark on a once in a lifetime journey filled with personalized itineraries that show them the very best SA has to offer.”
In an effort to boost tourism, they offered 12 TikTokers, a “trip of a lifetime” in return to showcase all the things to do in South Australia and disprove the popular misconception that there are nothing to do in the state (Photo: The Mescia Twins)
deputy opposition leader John Gardner denounced the campaign saying so completely missed the mark.
“I understand that we need to explore new ways to sell South Australia to the rest of the world, but I’m not convinced that a dozen influencers calling us ‘the most boring state ever’ is the right way to do this. do’ Mr. Gardner told The advertiser.
“South Australians are facing a cost of living crisis and we cannot afford to have another situation where social media influencers are being driven across the state and living the taxpayer high life just to get a make some videos.
“I’m sure many South Australians struggling to pay their utility bills and other daily needs wouldn’t appreciate their tax money going to TikTokers who run amok and call us boring.”