Selling Australia Series

Streaming video - 2001

Each year, millions of tourists come to Australia looking for the quintessential "Aussie experience", but are they getting anything more than koalas, boomerangs and a shrimp on the barbie? This four-part series takes an eye-opening journey behind the scenes of Australia's multi-billion dollar tourism industry.. Selling Australia reveals a world of ruthless marketing where canny entrepreneurs are determined to give visitors exactly what they want, whether it’s a taste of Aboriginal culture, sandy beaches or a bush adventure. It’s the Australia they’ve come to expect overseas and a picture that has been carefully and expensively constructed through international advertising campaigns and local initiatives. But how does it... fit with reality and the image the nation has of itself? And is it evolving as the country changes?. This entertaining, often amusing series offers a ride around the Golden Triangle of Australian tourism, from Sydney at the height of its Olympic frenzy to the Reef in tropical Queensland, and then to the country’s red heart. It moves at a cracking pace from shearing sheds and indigenous dancing to snorkelling and Japanese weddings, with plenty of photo opportunities on the way. As expected, the scenery is stunning and experiences memorable. But at the centre of each episode are important questions about Australia and the nation’s identity.. With tourism fast becoming one of the biggest industries across the globe, Selling Australia looks at just how far a country is prepared to go in search of the tourist dollar.. A Film Australia National Interest Program in association with Prospero Productions Pty Ltd. Produced with the assistance of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2011 National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.. more