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The two tourists high-five in front of the Matterhorn, …
These two South Koreans love Switzerland! Song Jin-Woo (37), a well-known Korean actor, is traveling through the Alpine country with a colleague. You visit the Matterhorn, hike in the snow, take a spectacular train ride, visit a sauna and go shopping at the Coop. The 37-year-old captures his impressions in a video clip – and it goes viral on social media. After just one week, the 50-second video clip has already had six million views.
The special thing about it: The two men laugh the whole time! Regardless of whether they high-five in front of the Matterhorn or marvel at the Swiss landscape from the train window – a broad grin stretches across their face. The video ends meaningfully with the heading “HaHaHa in Swiss”.
But the two South Koreans are not just traveling in Switzerland. The laughing clip is part of a Switzerland Tourism marketing campaign. “The video is part of the television show ‘Battle Trip’,” says media spokesman Julian Thorner from Switzerland Tourism to Blick. In the South Korean TV show, two teams compete against each other on trips abroad. The episode in which the video clip was produced was created in cooperation with the Swiss Tourism Representation in South Korea. “The Korean stars were supported in planning their trip and given ideas for exciting locations,” Thorner continued.
Not the only brand ambassadors from Switzerland Tourism
It is not uncommon for tourism organizations to collaborate with well-known personalities in marketing activities abroad. The tourism spokesman explains that they are particularly valuable because they can address the most interesting target group directly.
Especially after the pandemic had severely damaged many tourist locations, they depend on advertising. According to Thorner, South Korea is particularly attractive. “The country followed the most liberal course in East Asia from the start and was largely open to international travel again from the second quarter of 2022,” he explains. As early as January 2022, Switzerland Tourism relied on actress Lee Si-young (40), who promoted Switzerland as a brand ambassador.
Switzerland Tourism also works with well-known personalities in other countries: in India it is the track and field athlete Neeraj Chopra (24), who won gold in the javelin throw at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, in France adventurer Mike Horn (56) “and of course our brand ambassador globally Roger Federer (41).»
“I have no idea what it is, but I love it”
And the strategy seems to be working. The latest marketing prank is a complete success. In the case of the video of the two South Korean actors, the audience is certainly enthusiastic. “That made me so happy, thank you!” Writes one user. “I have no idea what it is, but I love it,” commented another.
People from Switzerland also react to the clip. “The first setting is in my hometown,” writes a Swiss. And another user: “I live in Switzerland. I was wondering where that hahah sound came from. I hope you enjoyed your stay – (they obviously enjoyed it).»