Website advertises imaginary Cornish beach
Internet Marketing
27 September 2007
A spoof website advertising a fictitious beach in Cornwall boasting warm seas, coral reef and dolphins, was receiving thousands of hits right up until the site's closure earlier today.
Called Porthemmet Beach, the hidden enclave was described as "the best beach in Cornwall" on its "official website".
The website advertising the paradisiacal beach was set up Cambridge graduate Jonty Haywood, who is currently teaching English in Thailand.
Residents of Cornwall would have gathered that the site was a hoax - not just because they would realised that while the county boasts some of the finest beaches in the UK, none are that idyllic, but also due to the fact that "emmet" is actually a disparaging Cornish word for tourists.
Malcolm Bell, of South West Tourism, told the BBC: "I would have worried a few years ago when Cornish tourism was not as strong as it is.
"It is not overly insulting to Cornish people or visitors. It brings a smile to people's faces.
"It is stimulating people's interest in Cornwall. PR is good and this is PR."
Mr Haywood told the Independent: "Most people think it's funny. Some discussions have got fairly heated regarding the general dislike of tourists versus their input to the Cornish economy. Although I would like to claim there is an important underlying point being made here, there isn't. Sending tourists off to find an imaginary beach is funny."
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