After just two weeks, Tourism Tasmania's cheeky Save a Mainlander campaign was proving to be a hit with thousands of Tasmanians, the Minister for Tourism Scott Bacon said today.

 

The Save a Mainlander campaign is aimed at capitalising on Tasmania's recent nationwide exposure on a series of episodes of the hit reality TV program Masterchef - and encourages Tasmanians to invite their interstate mainland friends, relatives and colleagues to holiday here.

 

"According to the latest figures, there have been more than 15,000 visits to the campaign website in the first two weeks of the two-month promotion," he said.

 

"We're seeing Tasmanians who have been to the website sharing the promotion with around two mainland friends or relatives, mainly in our important interstate visitor markets of New South Wales and Victoria.

 

"Given the focus on social media, it's also great to see that around 28 per cent of visits to the website are from mobile devices, with a similar percentage entering via Facebook and Mobile Facebook referrals."

 

Mr Bacon said the early results have been encouraging.

 

"Save a Mainlander is a light-hearted way for people to remind their mainland friends and relatives about the amazing experiences on offer here in Tasmania," he said.

 

"And it's important to remember that the invitation mainlanders receive to 'visit Tasmania and be cured of the unfortunate side-effects of living on the mainland', comes from a family member or friend rather than a complete stranger."

 

Mr Bacon said Save a Mainlander had also earned plaudits from visitors to the media and marketing blog Mumbrella, with one respondent saying: "I think this is hilarious. It totally pokes fun at me and my friends. It's good to be able to laugh at yourself. It's true, some mainlanders probably should take themselves less seriously and go for a hike in the beautiful Tassie wilderness. I know I could well do with a dose of getting real!"

 

He said that, given the challenges facing the tourism sector, it was important to use our market research to find creative and innovative ways, like Save a Mainlander, to promote Tasmania and attract visitors.

 

"The more mainlanders we all invite, the more chances we have to influence people to come here and enjoy what our state offers," he said.

 

"I'd encourageall Tasmanians to continue to get behind this campaign and go online to www.saveamainlander.com.au to do their bit to save their mainland friends and relatives."