Social Networking & New Clients Keep LDSTS Busy

New leaflets and brochures continue to arrive at the Border Distribution Centre every day, including many from brand new clients such as The Trentham Estate in Staffordshire – which is currently undergoing a £100 million regeneration project aimed at creating a unique visitor destination of national importance.

The Foursquare Revolution

We are rather excited about a relatively new social networking application to arrive on the scene. Foursquare is a geographical guide, which allows users to broadcast their locations via mobile devices and earn points for checking-in.

Savvy business owners are rapidly catching on to the immense marketing potential of a platform that encourages people to explore their neighbourhoods. Indeed, they are starting to engage with loyal customers by offering ‘Specials’ - discounts and prizes - to those who visit their Foursquare venue pages.

Ever since our friends at Cromwells Restaurant first alerted us to Foursquare in a blog article, we have been busily adding the details of LDSTS's clients and TIP hosts to the system. It has been great fun test-driving the application whilst winning ‘Mayorships’ and collecting badges for being the most frequent visitors to local attractions, hotels, pubs, theatres, retail outlets and other popular spots. Our verdict: Foursquare could very well be the next big thing in social networking, equal, perhaps, to Twitter.

We will, of course, include Foursquare in all our Social Media Marketing packages from now on, so please do contact us if you require further details.

From ‘Staycation’ to ‘Kidcation’

There has been a positive glut of good news stories about the UK’s domestic tourism industry emerging in recent weeks. Organisers of the Best of Britain and Ireland Travel Trade Forum reported a 5% increase in the show’s attendance in March, which they believe underlines the growing trend for ‘staycationing’, and according to ABTA, somewhere in the region of 10.5 million people took a holiday in the UK over Easter.

The Thistle Hotels’ group has also reported a substantial rise in enquiries and bookings for what it describes as “kidcations” at its city–based premises across the country. The 33-strong chain says that many families have “traded down” from overseas package holidays and believe the trend signals: “a change in attitudes, with parents looking to treat the family to short breaks that combine fun with learning – showing that city breaks are no longer just the preserve of romantic couples and serious culture vultures.”

Are you seeing bookings picking up? Please post your comments below or drop us an email.


Image: iPhone, Blackberry and Android in use, © Foursquare, 2010

The Only Way is Up For Tourism in North West England

It has been all hands to the deck over the past couple of days with the monthly delivery of What’s On in Chester & Cheshire to hotels, attractions and other leisure facilities in the City and surrounding area. The glossy A4 magazine is a free guide to eating, drinking, shopping and entertainment in the area – although it will be downsizing to a “chic and petite publication” next month with a “dynamic and vibrant new look”. It is also getting a bigger print run because - according to editor, Gerald A. Tattum - Chester City Council, “just can’t keep pace with the demand” for this popular life-style guide.

According to Superbreak: “Figures show that provincial UK cities and resorts are performing well with bookings through agents in January up 14% year on year…” Indeed, the operator predicts that more than 65,000 people will book short breaks through agents for the two week Easter period and fully expects more people to holiday at home this Easter as apposed to visiting euro zone countries. In addition, Easter falls later this year giving spring a chance to set in properly, which could be excellent news for companies offering short breaks “within two and a half hours drive from home”. If so, this will no doubt have a very positive knock-on effect for tourism and leisure facilities throughout Britain.

One of our longest-standing clients, Chester Zoo has recently unveiled an ambitious £225 million plan that will see it transformed into the largest conservation, animal and leisure attraction of its kind in Europe. The project – given the working title Natural Vision – will involve a £90 million first phase which will include the only domed ecosystem in the UK. Called ‘Heart of Africa’, the bio-dome will be an African rainforest-themed sanctuary for a band of Gorillas, a large troop of chimpanzees, Okapi (rare giraffe-like creatures), and a wide variety of tropical birds, amphibians, reptiles, fishes and invertebrates, moving freely among lush vegetation. The first phase – planning permission for which will be sought later this year – will also include a 90-bed hotel, a Conservation College, a key element of which is the ‘Futures’ education centre, and a revamped main entrance linking to a marina development on zoo land beside the Shropshire Union Canal. All we can say is: “Way to go, Chester Zoo!”

Midsummer Madness for LDS Tourism Services

It may be mid-summer but we’re busier than ever. There has been a massive increase in the leaflet pick-up rate this year, so we’ve got our work cut out trying to keep our stands topped-up and tidy!

One wonders why this is happening when the economy is supposed to be in so much trouble. One reason could be that a great many Brits are opting to stay on home soil this summer. Indeed, TravelMole is reporting that Britain is the top holiday destination for more than three quarters of UK internet users – that’s 21 million adults! It would seem that data produced by the research firm, Continental Research has revealed that over 40% of respondents are fed up with air travel, 37% believe it is kinder to the environment to stay in the UK and 44% worry less if they fall ill. Amongst the 58% of internet users taking a paid-for short break in 2008, the survey showed that the UK dominates the destinations visited, with many people mentioning the great scenery (56%) and no language barrier (47%) as two of the main reasons. This has to be very positive news indeed for the local tourist and leisure industries.

Believe it or not, Chester Zoo has started planning for its Frost Festival! The 110-acre attraction received a visit from Father Christmas last week and it is currently seeking sponsors for the extravaganza, which will open to the public on 29th November. A range of benefits are offered to sponsors including free tickets, PR coverage and exclusive company use of the ice rink. For further information, please contact Michelle Duma on 01244 650265 or drop her a line at development@chesterzoo.org.

We’ll finish with a couple of interesting links we came across recently:

Fuel Prices Hit Leaflet Distribution Nationwide
http://www.mailboxnationwide.com/blog/fuel-prices-hit-leaflet-distribution-nationwide/185

Printed page – and beyond

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/ew/2008/04/28/stories/2008042850110300.htm