Kylie: “I kind of feel like a walking tourism advert for Australia”

Australian pop icon Kylie Minogue has delivered a special musical Christmas Day message to the UK as part of Tourism Australia’s latest campaign aimed at enticing more Brits down under.

With original lyrics written by Australian singer-songwriter Eddie Perfect and filmed against a backdrop of extraordinary Australian locations, the three-minute advert premiered on British TV as millions tuned in for the Queen’s annual Christmas address.

Matesong is the largest investment that Tourism Australia has made in the UK in more than a decade.

Helping Kylie deliver the musical tribute is Australian comedian and TV presenter Adam Hills, supported by cameo appearances from Australian sporting legends Shane Warne, Ash Barty and Ian Thorpe; model twins Zac and Jordan Stenmark; UK-born chef Darren Robertson from Three Blue Ducks and the Aboriginal Comedy Allstars.

Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison said: “The Queen’s annual Christmas speech is a key cultural moment in the UK, with millions tuning in to watch on television and many more online. We also know that January in the northern hemisphere winter is a time when many Brits are thinking about an overseas holiday, providing the perfect opportunity to engage with a captive audience and remind them why they should make that next trip Australia.”

Kylie said:”Filming the Matesong music video was literally a dream come true. I’ve had the opportunity to see parts of the country I haven’t seen before, as well as to go home and revisit places that I know are beautiful. I’m such a proud Australian that I’ve spent most of my life travelling around the world sharing my stories of Australia with anyone who would listen, so I kind of feel like a walking tourism advert for Australia already.”