LDS Tourism Services' Blog

A Successful Summer for LDS Tourism and Clients

2009-07-07T15:25:00.015+01:00

As ever at this time of year, we are hectically busy preparing for the schools to close – in fact, some have already broken up for the summer. There are also lots of new leaflets and brochures available, including (but certainly not limited to): Manchester Events, Chirk Castle, Echo Arena What's On Summer 09, Brimstage Maize Maze and the Cywain Centre Bala.We are delighted to report that 2009 is

Squatters in our Brochure Holders

2009-06-24T14:47:00.013+01:00

At LDS Tourism Services we have a name for the unauthorised leaflets that appear in our display units from time to time. As a clue, the ornithologists among you will no doubt be aware of a certain feathered critter known for laying its eggs in the nests of other birds - frequently evicting the host’s clutch and live young in the process. Yes, you’ve guessed, these freeloading flyers are known to

Cruising Llangollen Canal

2009-06-02T17:03:00.013+01:00

Over the bank holiday weekend I was fortunate enough to enjoy a lovely day out on a canal boat. We hired the Dydd Un for the day from Llangollen Wharf as a birthday present for my Father-in-law.We started out bright and early driving over to Llangollen and the weather could not have been any better. It was fairly quiet when we arrived ready to collect the boat but by the time we were on our way

Forward Planning Pays Off For Leaflet Marketing Company

2009-06-01T13:48:00.009+01:00

As the country basks in glorious sunshine, there is every indication that camping and caravanning holidays are enjoying an amazing resurgence. Indeed, according to a recent holiday poll of over 2,000 people, thirty percent of Brits are staying in cheaper accommodation such as a tent or caravan to save money this year.Regular readers of this blog will know that we predicted such a trend over

The Importance of Keeping it Local

2009-05-11T17:40:00.012+01:00

Although small firms employ over fifty-eight per cent of the private sector workforce and contribute more than 50% of the UK turnover, the expansion of large national and international companies into every corner of British industry is heavily responsible for the demise of local trade.“Expansion” has become a scary word to local traders, especially when names such as Tesco are mentioned in the

UK Tourism Boosted by Sun & Slump!

2009-04-20T15:26:00.007+01:00

Tourism operators in North Wales and North West England can take plenty of positives from the first major British holiday of the year. Blue skies and the current economic climate combined to give many attractions an excellent kick-start to the season – with most parts of the UK enjoying long periods of fine, dry weather over the Easter break. In addition to this, domestic rail bookings over

Brand New Cadw Hotline

2009-03-23T13:37:00.009Z

We have set up a bilingual hotline in order to deal more swiftly and efficiently with requests and queries concerning Cadw literature. This 24-hour telephone line will be answered by a real person between the hours of 9am and 4pm on weekdays - an answer-phone facility will be available at all other times. We are hoping that Tourist Information Centres and other operators within the tourism

The Only Way is Up For Tourism in North West England

2009-03-04T13:25:00.006Z

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 “

LDS Tourism Win Cadw Contract

2009-02-13T12:16:00.005Z

We may be entering an “age of austerity” (according to a report by the Economist Intelligence Unit) but life remains as hectic as ever at LDS Tourism Services. Our distributors have been out and about in the snow and ice, servicing our displays and delivering orders to Tourist Information Centres throughout the region. Indeed, new leaflets continue to arrive by the hour, keeping our staff very

Brochure Bonanza 09

2009-01-28T11:31:00.007Z

Leaflets are pouring into our warehouse and sub-depots at an incredible rate. It’s marvellous to see all the colourful new designs for 2009 and it’s a great relief to once again receive literature from long-standing clients during these difficult times. We’re also delighted to have a selection of brand new brochures, including Word of Mouth, an impressive, monthly, regional guide to North Wales.

A Happy New Year For UK Tourism?

2008-12-17T12:25:00.005Z

We were delighted to read that, “demand for UK domestic holidays is up due to the weak pound, according to Hoseasons” (Weak pound boosts domestic market by Bev Fearis); and according to TravelMole: “As the pound continues to struggle against the euro, the self catering operator says its bookings for UK breaks in 2009 are up 20%.”The Chief Executive of Hoseasons Holidays, Richard Carrick, has

Some Good News For A Change!

2008-11-24T13:44:00.004Z

The latest issue of our newsletter, Swift Flyer 3, is now available on our website at www.ldsts.co.uk/swift_flyer3.pdf. If you have problems viewing this document, please let us know and we will send you a hard copy via snail-mail.We are all too aware that the current economic situation probably means that British (and foreign) holidaymakers are going to be more cost conscious than ever before –

What Makes A ‘Perfect’ Leaflet?

2008-11-10T14:10:00.010Z

We put the question: “What makes a successful leaflet or brochure?” to members of LinkedIn - an online network of more than 30 million experienced business people from around the world."Leaflets should encourage people to visit your attraction, region or event. To be successful, the leaflet should have the right look and contain appropriate information. What, in your experience, encourages people

Royal Mail’s Handbook for the Modern Entrepreneur

2008-10-16T12:19:00.002+01:00

The Royal Mail has some very interesting articles in the autumn edition its Smart Thinking, Smart Solutions magazine. On the subject of cost-effective marketing techniques, the advice is: “Whether it’s a Facebook page…, flyer or email newsletter, think about how words and images combine to reflect your company’s brand, encourage customers to respond to you and make you noteworthy.” (Time to

A Hectic Autumn for LDS Tourism Services

2008-10-06T15:05:00.004+01:00

We are delighted to announce that we’ve become official members of Visit Chester and Cheshire (VCC), the official tourism management organisation for Chester and Cheshire. Set up in 2004, it is one of five tourism boards in the North West and is funded and supported by the North West Regional Development Agency, seven local authorities and over 400 private sector tourism stakeholders in the

LDS Tourism Join Midnight Stroll For Charity

2008-09-09T12:04:00.010+01:00

Some of the LDSTS office staff went on a ladies only Starlight Stroll through Chester at the weekend to help raise money for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd. The six mile sponsored walk, which commenced at midnight, started and finished at Chester Racecourse, taking in many fascinating parts of the old City centre and famous Walls.The girls completed the route in two hours, twenty minutes, then

Liverpool's Matthew Street Festival

2008-08-31T17:18:00.021+01:00

The Matthew Street Festival in Liverpool has become a well known highlight of the year bringing together some great musical talents and showcasing the region's love for music.This year had to be good with Capital of Culture 08 in full flow, and it didn't disappoint. There was a great atmosphere in the city and even the rain stayed away for most of the day, so people could enjoy the free open air

Flying High During Hard Times

2008-08-21T10:22:00.005+01:00

TravelMole published an interesting article on their website yesterday, entitled “Brits raid piggy bank to pay for holiday”. According to research by Abbey Savings, despite soaring utility bills, ridiculous prices at the pump and mortgage payments going through the roof, millions of Brits are refusing to allow the crunch to “stop them having their two weeks playtime”.The bank revealed that “

Chester Zoo Promotion for North Wales Hotels

2008-08-13T11:49:00.013+01:00

LDS Tourism Services are extremely pleased to report that they are working with Chester Zoo on an exciting and innovative promotion. Chester Zoo are offering 3 for 2 admission vouchers and offers to celebrate Cheshire's Year of Gardens.The promotion is designed to reward guests for their booking by enhancing their stay with a 3 for 2 offer at Chester Zoo. The offer is being made available through

LDS Tourism Management Get Cheesy At Nantwich Show

2008-08-04T11:09:00.009+01:00

Jenny, Diana and Paula had great fun at the Nantwich & South Cheshire Show, which took place at Dorfold Hall Park on 30th July. They thoroughly enjoyed watching exciting displays, seeing the gorgeously spruced-up farm animals and browsing 400 odd stands. However, it was the Cheese Pavilion, housing the International Cheese Show (the largest in the world), that was the highlight of their day. The

Brochure Marketing Group Keeps On Growing

2008-07-14T17:29:00.007+01:00

We can reveal that (as of posting this blog entry) there are 213 members of our Brochure Marketing group on LinkedIn. A wide variety of people involved in the promotional print industry continue to sign-up on a daily basis and there are many interesting conversations taking place on the official forum. Please feel free to pose a question or join in one of the many fascinating discussions – you

Midsummer Madness for LDS Tourism Services

2008-06-24T13:19:00.004+01:00

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

We Asked: Why Brochure Displays?

2008-05-30T14:21:00.007+01:00

A couple of weeks ago, we posed the question: “What are the benefits of a tourist information point?” to fellow members of LinkedIn. It went something like this:We have a waiting list of hoteliers who want our brochure display stands in their establishments. What are the main benefits to the guests and to the hotel staff of having local leaflets on display? We would be very interested to hear

Definitely Not The Same Company!

2008-05-23T14:31:00.007+01:00

Imagine our surprise when, earlier today, we spotted a blog entry entitled Leaflet Delivery in Merseyside on the News in Wigan website - posted by a leaflet distribution company calling itself LDS Limited.According to their blurb, they have “specialist experience amassed over years in the leaflet… industry.” They also claim that “unlike most other leaflet distributors, LDS focus primarily on the

Stolen Pups

2008-05-19T13:10:00.006+01:00

We received a very distressing press release from one of our clients in Cheshire (see below). Can anyone help?STOLEN PUPSAppeal for information on stolen puppiesA DOG breeder is appealing for help after two puppies were snatched from a Cheshire home, yesterday (Thursday, May 15).Urgent information is needed on the whereabouts of two rare black flatcoated retriever puppies after they were stolen