From Air India’s Maharaja to Kumamon the cartoon bear, tourism mascots that drew attention – and some, like Mak Mak in Macau, that flopped
- Hikonyan is a cartoon white cat, Lucky George a dragon cast in bronze, Mak Mak a spoonbill crossed with a lighthouse – tourism mascots come in various guises
- From Kumamon the bear, whose success led to a rash of cute characters promoting Japanese regions, to a trio of K-mascots, we look at some of the most successful
If you visit the just opened Broadwick Soho hotel in London there may well be an elephant in the room.
“The elephant is part of Broadwick Soho’s official logo and references to them can be found throughout the hotel,” says Josh Gardner, executive director of the appealingly flamboyant boutique hotel.
There are cocktail cabinets fashioned out of antique Indian brass and hand carved with elephant motifs by artisans in Jaipur in all of the suites; some of the rooms feature wallpaper with similar images subtly worked into the print; and the staff wear elegant elephant pins on their lapels.
“We chose the elephant as our symbol as their characteristics represent what we aspire to emulate as a brand and as an independent business,” Gardner says.
“Elephants are extremely loyal and intelligent animals. They are well known for their social skills and are true family animals. They are compassionate and conscientious, with incredible memory. We strongly believe in all these values.”
The Broadwick elephant is just one of many hospitality and tourism mascots – animal, human, mythical and invented – around the world.
