Over the weekend, tourists in Namur can now take photos of themselves in front of giant letters standing at the citadel. This communication tool has been popping up in tourist cities around the world, but what’s the purpose? The steel letters, measuring one meter high and fifty centimeters deep, required 250 hours of work by Walloon ironworkers and cost the city €35,000. Inspired by Hollywood, such letters have since become a popular social media attraction in many places such as Binche, Dinant, Mons, Amsterdam, and Bangkok. By using social networks to promote these letters, authorities and the tourism industry hope to improve the image of their respective cities. As tourists eagerly take pictures and share them, the goal of these letters is to spread the word about popular tourist destinations.
Since this weekend, you can photograph yourself in front of the citadel of Namur alongside giant letters. A communication tool that is emerging in most tourist cities around the world. But what is its purpose?
The tourists strike a pose, one after the other… At the foot of the citadel. These 5 letters and this little red heart are a delight for lovers of photos that can be published on social networks. “I’m going to put it on the networks to show that it’s our city. It’s Namur, it’s good”comments a resident, in front of the new tourist attraction of the city. “It’s the city I’m from, I’m proud of my city and I think the letters they put are really pretty”said another. “It’s still the capital of Wallonia, so it’s something”admits a third.
For years, Hollywood has inspired cities around the world. Giant letters immortalized and then shared, we find them in Amsterdam, Bangkok… And in several corners of Belgium such as Binche, Dinant or Mons.
Barely arrived in the Walloon capital, tourists publish their photos on social networks. “It’s great, it’s pretty. This place is very beautiful”says a foreign tourist.
“The authorities, and the tourism sector in general, have been aware for some years now of the importance that these social networks have in the dissemination of the image of a city, of tourism”says Gaetan Reckinger, Namur tourist office.
Steel letters made in a Walloon ironwork workshop. They are one meter high and 50 cm deep and required 250 hours of work. For this promotion and communication tool, the city of Namur paid 35,000 euros.
In conclusion, the giant letters in front of the citadel of Namur have become a new tourist attraction and a popular spot for taking photos to share on social media. This trend of Hollywood-inspired giant letters has been adopted by many cities around the world, and Namur is among the latest to join them. As tourists continue to snap photos and share them online, the use of such promotion and communication tools becomes increasingly important for the tourism sector. The investment of 35,000 euros by the city of Namur for the steel letters made in a Walloon workshop seems to be paying off as the city gains more exposure and recognition.