Public to decide adventures of urban explorers

Melbourne unveils world-first remote control tourist

Public to decide adventures of urban explorers

Embargoed until 1.00pm Wednesday 9 October

Tourism Victoria today launched a world-first tourism initiative – the Melbourne Remote Control Tourist – an innovative concept allowing would-be visitors to explore and experience Melbourne virtually by directing real people on adventures in and around the city, all captured and streamed online in real time.

For five days from 9 to13 October, the two Remote Control Tourists will become the ears, eyes and even taste buds of everyday people, offering an engaging first-person perspective of the ever-evolving and surprising city of Melbourne.

The two Melbourne Remote Control Tourists will be fully connected to the world via helmet-mounted cameras, microphones, GPS and some clever mobile live streaming technology. The activities and adventures of the Melbourne Remote Control Tourists will be suggested by the public at remotecontroltourist.com using twitter or Facebook.

Along with some of Melbourne’s most recognisable landmarks, such as Federation Square and the arts precinct; the laneways and historic arcades; the Melbourne Cricket Ground and sporting precinct; and Southbank and the Yarra River - the Melbourne Remote Control Tourists are ready on bike or on foot to venture off the beaten path in search of new discoveries and interesting people and places, providing fresh inspiration for would-be visitors to the city.

From indulging at the latest restaurants, cafes and bars, exploring the hidden laneways, rooftops and basements, undertaking fashion and shopping missions, or taking in one of many sensory arts experiences - the public chosen adventures will showcase the depth of rich and varied experiences available in the city, providing plenty of holiday inspiration.

The campaign is the latest innovative stage of Tourism Victoria’s Play Melbourne television and multi-media campaign. Aimed at the domestic Australian and New Zealand markets, the campaign has been running since 2011. This next stage continues to highlight the playful and intriguing aspects of Melbourne and the Melbourne Remote Control Tourists’ ‘Go before you go’ message is aimed at sparking the innate human curiosity and sense of discovery.

New Zealand is the second largest source market for international visitors to Victoria. There were 278,800 New Zealand overnight visitors to Victoria for the year ending June 2013, a 4.6% increase over the previous year. International visitor expenditure by visitors from New Zealand to Victoria increased by 3.8% year-on-year to $346 million in the year ending June 2013*.

Melbourne Remote Control Tourist will be live from 9 to 13 October. To place requests go to remotecontroltourist.com.

*Data from July 2012 – June 2013, supplied by Tourism Victoria.

ENDS

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