By Alex Brownsell, Marketing, 05 December 2008, 08:55am

Trafalgar Square lions talk in Visit London campaign

LONDON - Visit London is mounting a four month campaign to promote domestic and international tourism in the city. The activity follows the pledge of an extra £750,000 in marketing funds from Mayor Boris Johnson to help the capital's tourism industry through the economic downturn.

The £3.25m campaign, which launches today, centres around a visual and audio display at Trafalgar Square which makes it appear as though one of the landmark's famed lions is talking.

Press, outdoor, radio and online activity over the coming few weeks will feature the strapline ‘2008 reasons to visit London', with ‘2009 reasons to visit London' appearing on ads in the New Year.

Sally Chatterjee, Visit London's Interim CEO, following the departure of James Bidwell in September, said: ‘Despite undoubtedly tough times ahead, there are still major opportunities to promote the city to our key markets. London offers great experiences at amazing value and I'm delighted that we have a major programme of activity to sell our message throughout the world.'