Last updated at 15:46, Monday, 27 February 2012

The travel industry is hugely competitive. With thousands of destinations around the world, how on earth do you stand out?

It seems that Carlisle has found a way.

Do an internet search for “Carlisle, UK – Beautiful Places” and you will be presented with a short promotional film about the Great Border City.

We see a series of photographs of city landmarks such as the castle and the cathedral.

But one or two things are a little odd.

A photo of Caldewgate during the 2005 floods appears for a few seconds. It would look quite picturesque, if the film-maker thought a river always ran through this part of the city.

Another clue that they are not a native of Cumbria comes with a photo of a building called ‘The Point at Carlisle Plaza’. This is a shopping mall in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Watch the promo video. Article continues below...

Just as you’re thinking it’s all a bit strange, things become truly bizarre. After one minute and 24 seconds, a photograph of Carlisle station gives way to a photograph of a sun-kissed sea in a tropical paradise.

This is the first in a sequence of shots showing white beaches and palm trees. Wherever this is, it isn’t Carlisle.

It’s tempting to think that the city council is resorting to desperate tactics to make Carlisle appear attractive to visitors.

But according to a logo at the bottom of the screen, the production was made by a company called Vroom Vroom Vroom. Perhaps this is their vision of Carlisle in a few years’ time when global warming is well underway?

In which case, a very warm welcome to Carlisle-on-Sea.

First published at 11:27, Monday, 27 February 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk