Although I am not entirely qualified to talk about Viral Marketing, what I can do is talk about how I, a Marketing Manager, for a small business in the UK has used viral marketing as part of my marketing plan. The progress we have made on viral marketing has culminated in the game, Snowballs to Christmas (http://www.mapsinternational.co.uk/snowballs)
We’ve been looking at developing a viral marketing campaign for the past year, without any suitable inkling as to what to do. Being a small mapping company we don’t have the most exciting of subject matter to enable us to release new innovative material and we have struggled to come up with something that we felt confident enough to release. This Christmas we decided it was time to do something viral, and felt that it wasn’t necessary entirely important to have something related to mapping. If we take the Office Max Elf Yourself viral marketing campaign as an example, it’s clearly obvious that if a game is done well then it doesn’t need to be directly related.
The main requirements we had in mind for a viral game were the following:
• It had to be related to Christmas
• It had to be fun and make people want to play it again
• It shouldn’t be a negative game
• It should be related to the core ethos of http://www.mapsinternaitonal.co.uk
The viral game we came up with was “Snowballs to Christmas”, have a look at the site to see how it fits in with our core strategy (http://www.mapsinternational.co.uk/snowballs). We built this viral game using in-house flash developers, which I admit is a luxury most small business won’t have. However there are lots of companies out that will take the task of developing the viral game for you, or for those on a small budget, you can buy games from companies (i.e. http://www.galaxygraphics.co.uk) and brand it up for your business. We estimated that the Snowballs to Christmas game cost around £500 to create, which is about the cost of a small advert in a trade magazine.
“Snowballs to Christmas” is a fun viral flash game where the player gets to throw snowballs at Santa and his Elves to relieve Christmas stress. The hook in is that we offer a stress free shopping experience, the tag line being: Fed up with queues? Can’t find that elusive gift? Watching the pennies this Christmas? Use our gift finder at mapsinternational.co.uk and get free delivery direct to your door. Although you need to remember that a piece of viral marketing isn’t going to bring in loads of sales, it’s important to ensure that it isn’t a million miles away from what you try to promote within your business.
Our strategy for promoting the game was as follows:
• Send the viral marketing game to all the office and ask each person to forward on to all their friends and family, hopefully starting the virus process
• Promote on social networking sites, including Facebook, Bebo, Youtube etc
• Promote on groups, forums, blogs relevant to the game
• Bookmark in sites such as Digg, Stumble Upon, De.li.ci.ous etc, ask everyone we know to do the same
• Submit to games sites (more about this here http://mochiland.com/articles/marketing-flash-games-the-other-half-of-the-battle)
Mapsinternational.co.uk is part of a larger company Lovell Johns (http://www.lovelljohns.com) with the benefit of having a range of developer skills which helped us develop the game. The viral game has only just launched so I can’t as yet tell the benefits, but within 24 hours, the web links are stacking up, the posts on blogs and forums are happening all the time, and the clicks are increasing. The main thing that I’ve come away with is that you shouldn’t look to viral marketing for a quick way to push orders through to your business. Viral marketing campaigns are so much more than that, they allow you to develop brand awareness, increase your rankings in the Search Engines through link building and traffic. All it needs is a bit of imaginative thought and a mega push from your marketing team once it is released onto the web.
Watch this space for further viral marketing campaigns from http://www.mapsinternational.co.uk
Liz Adams
Marketing Manager
Lovell Johns / mapsinternational.co.uk
T: 01993 883 161
E:liz.adams@mapsinternational.co.uk
W: http://www.mapsinternational.co.uk
W: http://www.lovelljohns.com
Liz Adams is Marketing Manager for Lovell Johns online map shop Mapsinternational.co.uk. Mapsinternational.co.uk is the largest online resource for maps and guides. Its comprehensive range of around 40,000 products includes business mapping products and services, wall maps, travel maps and guides, gifts, activity maps and guides, educational products and much more.
Mapsinternational.co.uk is a trading name of Lovell Johns Ltd, a leading cartographic and mapping solutions company.
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Monday, 1 December 2008
Stocking Fillers
This week grab those stocking fillers. We have another three great products now on sale.
Small political Wall Map - 20% off
All Berlitz Travel Guides - 10% off
Pack of 2 Wolrd Desk Maps - 10% off
Offers end 2nd dec 2008
Small political Wall Map - 20% off
All Berlitz Travel Guides - 10% off
Pack of 2 Wolrd Desk Maps - 10% off
Offers end 2nd dec 2008
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
This week is Gifts for Kids
Check out these great festive discounts...
For these great Christmas gifts and many many more just visit mapsinternational.co.uk
Large primary Political World wall map - 20% off
Dinos Childrens Map of the Solar System - 10% off
Inflatable Animal Globe - 16 inch - 10% off
For these great Christmas gifts and many many more just visit mapsinternational.co.uk
Monday, 10 November 2008
Sensational discounts on these products...
Head on over to mapsinternational.co.uk for some sensational seasonal discounts.
Huge World Wall Map - 20% OFF
Cool Camping Book - 10% OFF
Franklin Globe - 10% OFF
These offers end tuesday 11th Nov.
Huge World Wall Map - 20% OFF
Cool Camping Book - 10% OFF
Franklin Globe - 10% OFF
These offers end tuesday 11th Nov.
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
2 cracking offers from mapsinternational.co.uk
Ongoing throughout this November and December are two deals designed with Christmas in mind. One of the offers even includes our brand new premium range world desk map calender!
Visit mapsinternational.co.uk to buy and watch this space for even more updates.
Visit mapsinternational.co.uk to buy and watch this space for even more updates.
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
This year your Christmas is mapped out!
We’ve got a great selection of gifts for everyone this Christmas. Including fun and educational pressies for kids, great presents for him, stylish gifts for her and some cool stocking fillers.
Starting on Wednesday 5th of November we’re rolling out our extra special Christmas deals. Each week we will be announcing new offers & special discounts for our online shop mapsinternational.co.uk
Registered mapsinternational customers can look forward to receiving our Christmas newsletter brimming full of discounts for this holiday season.
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
Bring maps back into the classroom and put geography back on the agenda
Recent news that the Government is putting £2 million into England’s schools to encourage children to study Geography couldn’t have come at a better time. Two years ago, Ofsted reported that geography was the worst taught subject in primary schools. Following this, a recent survey by mapsinternational.co.uk found that geography was one of the least favoured subjects in school, only just beating religious studies which came last. Take up of the subject has also declined since geography was made a non-compulsory subject after the age of 14. This new government funding will surely help improve the teaching and learning of geography at primary school age, but there are still things teachers can be doing in the meantime to embed an early interest in the subject and to ensure children do not miss out on essential map reading skills.
There has been a lot of criticism lately about the curriculum for teaching geography in primary and secondary education. Basic map reading skills have been lost, even though they are necessary for general navigation, for relating to people and where they come from and even choosing holidays. If children are not taught the basics to create a general interest and foundations for future learning then many will simply opt out of the subject at the age of 14.
Geography and basic map reading could even have a profound effect on how students relate to other subjects. For example if used alongside history, maps will actually give you clues as to why events happened as they did. It could be the piece of the jigsaw that helps the whole picture to make sense. Maps in religious studies help you to understand where different cultures and different religions exist and how widespread some religions are depending on the size of the country they originate from. Maps are even used in language learning – for example the teaching of French and Spanish would not be complete without learning the history and geography of each country.
Maps can also be fun tools to have in the classroom, but it is important to make them relevant to children in order for them to be effective. Primary aged children respond well to bright colours, big text and pictures; so maps used in primary school classrooms need to reflect this. All too often the maps provided in schools for children are designed for an older audience with far too much information, small text and basic colours. Schools should be investing in products that are going to stimulate and inspire learning.
There are now products designed especially for the primary school market to help encourage children to take an interest in map reading. Maps with bigger and friendlier text ensure it is easier to read, allowing children to absorb more information about the world. It is important to avoid overloading children with too much information on their early introduction to geography. Maps that show basic information, such as names of countries and capital cities and prominent lakes and mountains that are likely to be covered on the school curriculum will be far easier for children to understand.
Mapsinternational is the largest online resource for maps and guides. Its comprehensive range of around 40,000 products includes business mapping products and services, wall maps, travel maps and guides, gifts, activity maps and guides, educational products and much more. Please visit their website http://www.mapsinternational.co.uk/ to access free resources for schools, as well as a wide range of textbooks, activity books and the primary school world wall map.
There has been a lot of criticism lately about the curriculum for teaching geography in primary and secondary education. Basic map reading skills have been lost, even though they are necessary for general navigation, for relating to people and where they come from and even choosing holidays. If children are not taught the basics to create a general interest and foundations for future learning then many will simply opt out of the subject at the age of 14.
Geography and basic map reading could even have a profound effect on how students relate to other subjects. For example if used alongside history, maps will actually give you clues as to why events happened as they did. It could be the piece of the jigsaw that helps the whole picture to make sense. Maps in religious studies help you to understand where different cultures and different religions exist and how widespread some religions are depending on the size of the country they originate from. Maps are even used in language learning – for example the teaching of French and Spanish would not be complete without learning the history and geography of each country.
Maps can also be fun tools to have in the classroom, but it is important to make them relevant to children in order for them to be effective. Primary aged children respond well to bright colours, big text and pictures; so maps used in primary school classrooms need to reflect this. All too often the maps provided in schools for children are designed for an older audience with far too much information, small text and basic colours. Schools should be investing in products that are going to stimulate and inspire learning.
There are now products designed especially for the primary school market to help encourage children to take an interest in map reading. Maps with bigger and friendlier text ensure it is easier to read, allowing children to absorb more information about the world. It is important to avoid overloading children with too much information on their early introduction to geography. Maps that show basic information, such as names of countries and capital cities and prominent lakes and mountains that are likely to be covered on the school curriculum will be far easier for children to understand.
Mapsinternational is the largest online resource for maps and guides. Its comprehensive range of around 40,000 products includes business mapping products and services, wall maps, travel maps and guides, gifts, activity maps and guides, educational products and much more. Please visit their website http://www.mapsinternational.co.uk/ to access free resources for schools, as well as a wide range of textbooks, activity books and the primary school world wall map.
The future of paper maps – from a cartographer’s point of view
Lovell Johns have been providing mapping services and interactive mapping solutions to the publishing industry for over 40 years. Over the last ten years we have seen a huge shift in the services that publishers are looking for, from film or static files for artwork to much more sophisticated digital.
One of the key changes in mapping formats has come with the introduction of SatNav’s. When it’s time to get moving, whether travelling in the UK or abroad, drivers are much more likely to check their route on a computer or let their SatNav do the work, rather than pull out a paper map. Part of this could be because there is an unease with map reading, not been helped by the neglect of teaching geography and mapping skills at school.
As in-car navigation units become more popular and the prevalence and use of free online directional mapping services increases, paper maps are becoming less and less popular. It is no coincidence that Road Atlas sales have steadily declined over the last two years.
Publishing companies have been looking at strategies to combat this decline in paper map sales, and whilst I am not best placed to speak about these strategies, I can comment on the development and work we do on behalf of the publishing companies.
Most, if not all mapping publishers and cartographic companies have been creating and storing their data digitally for the last 10 years and we, as an industry, must now look at ways of how to exploit these data in non-paper mediums.
How best to generate revenue from the mapping that map publishers and cartographers create is a tricky problem. The digital era has lowered the perceived monetary value of maps. In fact the biggest issue we face is that maps are seen as something that should be available free of charge. This problem is exacerbated by the likes of the free online mapping providers who allow customers to view maps and provide directional information for anywhere in the world. Not only this but the user can print the map at no extra cost!
So, how does our industry raise the profile and value of mapping, whilst still embracing the need to move forward into digital publishing? A good start is by creating content that is enriched with interactivity, adding that elusive ‘value’ to the product.
Here at Lovell Johns, we’ve been working with Swedish National Encyclopaedia to bring their map content kicking and screaming into the 21st Century. Many encyclopaedia companies across the world have already turned their traditional books into online fact finders. Many of these sites include static maps for online reference, appearing very much as they would in the hard copy version.
Swedish NE has gone further, to ensure that their website mapping has interactivity at its core. We have been working with Swedish NE and have developed a range of interactive maps and games to enable the user to get involved with the mapping.
Of course, the Swedish NE are not alone; there are other publishers working hard to develop their digital map offerings;
Lonely Planet – currently selling a range of digital city maps and guides available for use on mobiles and also some PSP ready software.
A-Z - mobile/PDA enabled street maps and now cycle guides. These cycle guides have been developed using information from TFL and CycleCity Guides. Information displayed includes traffic free routes, indexes (including cycling shops) and much more.
DK – one of my favourites. On the DK website they now have a fantastic new interactive feature enabling you to create your very own customised travel guide. You can pick and choose what information you want to include, design the front cover and purchase as a PDF or get the printed guide sent to you.
Whilst we continue to work with mapping publishers to create digital content, we also have to encourage the data providers, such as the Ordnance Survey, to work with us. The digital publishing world is fast changing and evolving where traditional data licensing models are inappropriate. It is vital that key data providers, such as the Ordnance Survey, position themselves to offer flexible licensing and react quickly to changing market demands. Our expertise lies in taking data and using it to create digital content that is creative and interactive; without good data, our lives are a whole lot harder!
The future of digital mapping lies in creating content that continues to push the boundaries of interactivity, customisation and personalisation. Technology no doubt will play a key part in this and eventually online mapping content will, I’m sure, be created on-the-fly and customised to the user’s interests. This is great news for provider and user alike because we can be creative and innovative whilst offering fun and exciting products.
Whilst digital mapping content will increase exponentially over the next 5 years, I very much doubt that paper maps will disappear from the shelves completely. Satnavs are currently not infallible; you only have to listen to the news to hear stories about lorries being directed down narrow lanes and cars into rivers! Walkers will still use their dog eared maps and sailors their navigational maps. Add to that the fact that you can still buy an old fashioned British Isles Atlas for as little as £3.99 and I’m sure that paper maps will still be being sold for years to come.
Although it’s possible that in the future children may no longer ever have to use an atlas or fold out map, I’m sure they still will.
Ben Hill
Director
www.lovelljohns.com
One of the key changes in mapping formats has come with the introduction of SatNav’s. When it’s time to get moving, whether travelling in the UK or abroad, drivers are much more likely to check their route on a computer or let their SatNav do the work, rather than pull out a paper map. Part of this could be because there is an unease with map reading, not been helped by the neglect of teaching geography and mapping skills at school.
As in-car navigation units become more popular and the prevalence and use of free online directional mapping services increases, paper maps are becoming less and less popular. It is no coincidence that Road Atlas sales have steadily declined over the last two years.
Publishing companies have been looking at strategies to combat this decline in paper map sales, and whilst I am not best placed to speak about these strategies, I can comment on the development and work we do on behalf of the publishing companies.
Most, if not all mapping publishers and cartographic companies have been creating and storing their data digitally for the last 10 years and we, as an industry, must now look at ways of how to exploit these data in non-paper mediums.
How best to generate revenue from the mapping that map publishers and cartographers create is a tricky problem. The digital era has lowered the perceived monetary value of maps. In fact the biggest issue we face is that maps are seen as something that should be available free of charge. This problem is exacerbated by the likes of the free online mapping providers who allow customers to view maps and provide directional information for anywhere in the world. Not only this but the user can print the map at no extra cost!
So, how does our industry raise the profile and value of mapping, whilst still embracing the need to move forward into digital publishing? A good start is by creating content that is enriched with interactivity, adding that elusive ‘value’ to the product.
Here at Lovell Johns, we’ve been working with Swedish National Encyclopaedia to bring their map content kicking and screaming into the 21st Century. Many encyclopaedia companies across the world have already turned their traditional books into online fact finders. Many of these sites include static maps for online reference, appearing very much as they would in the hard copy version.
Swedish NE has gone further, to ensure that their website mapping has interactivity at its core. We have been working with Swedish NE and have developed a range of interactive maps and games to enable the user to get involved with the mapping.
Of course, the Swedish NE are not alone; there are other publishers working hard to develop their digital map offerings;
Lonely Planet – currently selling a range of digital city maps and guides available for use on mobiles and also some PSP ready software.
A-Z - mobile/PDA enabled street maps and now cycle guides. These cycle guides have been developed using information from TFL and CycleCity Guides. Information displayed includes traffic free routes, indexes (including cycling shops) and much more.
DK – one of my favourites. On the DK website they now have a fantastic new interactive feature enabling you to create your very own customised travel guide. You can pick and choose what information you want to include, design the front cover and purchase as a PDF or get the printed guide sent to you.
Whilst we continue to work with mapping publishers to create digital content, we also have to encourage the data providers, such as the Ordnance Survey, to work with us. The digital publishing world is fast changing and evolving where traditional data licensing models are inappropriate. It is vital that key data providers, such as the Ordnance Survey, position themselves to offer flexible licensing and react quickly to changing market demands. Our expertise lies in taking data and using it to create digital content that is creative and interactive; without good data, our lives are a whole lot harder!
The future of digital mapping lies in creating content that continues to push the boundaries of interactivity, customisation and personalisation. Technology no doubt will play a key part in this and eventually online mapping content will, I’m sure, be created on-the-fly and customised to the user’s interests. This is great news for provider and user alike because we can be creative and innovative whilst offering fun and exciting products.
Whilst digital mapping content will increase exponentially over the next 5 years, I very much doubt that paper maps will disappear from the shelves completely. Satnavs are currently not infallible; you only have to listen to the news to hear stories about lorries being directed down narrow lanes and cars into rivers! Walkers will still use their dog eared maps and sailors their navigational maps. Add to that the fact that you can still buy an old fashioned British Isles Atlas for as little as £3.99 and I’m sure that paper maps will still be being sold for years to come.
Although it’s possible that in the future children may no longer ever have to use an atlas or fold out map, I’m sure they still will.
Ben Hill
Director
www.lovelljohns.com
Friday, 23 May 2008
Victory for Tories and updated Parliamentary wall map
The Conservatives have achieved their first by-election gain in 26 years, taking Crewe and Nantwich from Labour. Tory candidate Edward Timpson won 7,860 more votes than his Labour rival, overturning a 7,000 Labour majority at the general election - a 17.6% swing.
David Cameron said it was a "remarkable victory" and thousands of people had voted Conservative for the first time. Labour deputy Harriet Harman said it was a "bad result" but attributed it to voters' concerns about the economy.
David Cameron said it was a "remarkable victory" and thousands of people had voted Conservative for the first time. Labour deputy Harriet Harman said it was a "bad result" but attributed it to voters' concerns about the economy.
We've updated our UK Parlimentary map already to reflect the change in Crewe and Natnwich and it's available to purchase online now. The Parlimentary wall map shows all the Parliamentay Constituency boundaries and also shows which party controls that area. The UK Parliamentary maps is also available in Huge size. All our wall maps are available in a range of finishes. Choose from laminated maps, framed maps, magnetic maps plus more.
Tuesday, 13 May 2008
Maps International: Business Map Centre at Internet World
We've recently been exhibiting at Internet World in Earls Court, London. The show is focussed on Internet business users and is one of the largest internet focussed trade shows. Paired with the International Direct Marketing Fair it enables us to reach some of our key business customers. It's our 3rd year visiting and our best success yet.
The Business Map Centre is a unique part of our website that offers a huge range of mapping options for any type and size of business.
A brief synopsis of the services offered are:
We have dedicated business map specialists to help with your query, two of whom are in the picture above. You can contact them on 0845 450 3667 to discuss any mapping requirement.
Friday, 9 May 2008
Cycle to work day
Yesterday saw the inaugral cycle to work day at the mapsinternational.co.uk offices.
A great turnout by around 3/4 of the staff in our office. All cycled in from various distances from 1 mile to 20 miles! And we were pretty lucky with the weather too as the sun shone all day.
A barbequed breakfast of bacon rolls followed to keep us all going for the day.
The car park was much emptier at work yesterday and I'm pretty sure that a few people will cycle in every now and again which can surely only help.
Friday, 18 April 2008
Why more people are choosing trains over planes
According to the Times today British holiday makers are shunning planes in favour of travelling by rail.
The BAA reported that it handled less passengers at 4 of its airports (which include Heathrow and Stansted) than the same month last year. Plus all of its airports, excluding Gatwick, operated fewer flights. Until this year flyers were increasing year on year, but suddenly this has changed.
Some of this may be due to the issues at Heathrow Terminal 5, pushing some customers over to Gatwick which may be while their figures remain constantly increasing.
There may be reasons such as the delays that occur on flights abroad. According to recent statistics 4 out of 10 flights run 10 -15 minutes late, and once you've added in the extra long check in times and the worry of losing luggage you can understand why some people prefer to travel at a more leisurely pace. It could be said as the story of the Hare and the Tortoise.
"Figures released this week by the CAA show that the average delay on an arriving flight at Heathrow is now 20 minutes, a 25 per cent increase from 2003," said a spokesman for the Future Heathrow group. "In comparison, average delays at Amsterdam and Paris Charles de Gaulle are less than 15 minutes, despite having more flights than Heathrow."
Eurostar claim to have had a 21 percent rise in passenger numbers going to continental Europe over the last quarter. Some of this could of course been attributed to the opening of St Pancras station and the marketing effort that Eurostar has put into launching the new service.
The other factor in increased rail journeys could well be the environmental factor. Eurostar now claims to be Carbon Neutral, which of course no flights can ever claim to be.
Going back to the Tortoise and the Hare story, I feel this can only be the biggest factor, with shorter journey times now to Paris and Brussels at only just over 2 hours, flights have no chance in competing once you've factored in checkins and then getting in to the centre of the cities. Plus of course European train operators are far more efficient than British trains and therefore onward journeys to the South of France, Spain and further afield are a piece of cake.
Handy books
Thomas Cook European Train Timetable
The BAA reported that it handled less passengers at 4 of its airports (which include Heathrow and Stansted) than the same month last year. Plus all of its airports, excluding Gatwick, operated fewer flights. Until this year flyers were increasing year on year, but suddenly this has changed.
Some of this may be due to the issues at Heathrow Terminal 5, pushing some customers over to Gatwick which may be while their figures remain constantly increasing.
There may be reasons such as the delays that occur on flights abroad. According to recent statistics 4 out of 10 flights run 10 -15 minutes late, and once you've added in the extra long check in times and the worry of losing luggage you can understand why some people prefer to travel at a more leisurely pace. It could be said as the story of the Hare and the Tortoise.
"Figures released this week by the CAA show that the average delay on an arriving flight at Heathrow is now 20 minutes, a 25 per cent increase from 2003," said a spokesman for the Future Heathrow group. "In comparison, average delays at Amsterdam and Paris Charles de Gaulle are less than 15 minutes, despite having more flights than Heathrow."
Eurostar claim to have had a 21 percent rise in passenger numbers going to continental Europe over the last quarter. Some of this could of course been attributed to the opening of St Pancras station and the marketing effort that Eurostar has put into launching the new service.
The other factor in increased rail journeys could well be the environmental factor. Eurostar now claims to be Carbon Neutral, which of course no flights can ever claim to be.
Going back to the Tortoise and the Hare story, I feel this can only be the biggest factor, with shorter journey times now to Paris and Brussels at only just over 2 hours, flights have no chance in competing once you've factored in checkins and then getting in to the centre of the cities. Plus of course European train operators are far more efficient than British trains and therefore onward journeys to the South of France, Spain and further afield are a piece of cake.
Handy books
Thomas Cook European Train Timetable
Wednesday, 16 April 2008
Travel Guide writing controversy
As one of the largest online travel map and travel guide shop on the web, we thought we should comment on some of issues that have been flying about the press and online over the last couple of days.
American writer Thomas Kohnstamm has recently declared in his book, Travel Writers Go to Hell?, that he penned a section in a Lonely Planet Colombia guide without even visiting Columbia. With the London Book Fair currently on it's certainly been one of the main issues on the agenda.
This particular case is obviously an extreme case and hopefully a unique case. There will no doubt be a place for some internet research for travel guides and no writer can ever say that they have the time to stay in every hotel. What may be the case is that writers will research better rated hotels and then choose to visit those ones and review them.
Travel guides will always be of use, simply for their take away handiness, anyone that's ever tried printing out reams of information from the web will know that it's less timeconsuming, and far less wasteful to take a guidebook away.
According to the Times today the current Top 10 Travel Guide books are:
1. Time Out
2. Bradt
3. Lonely Planet (in despite of the recent news)
4. Rough Guides
5. Luxe
6. Footprint
7. Dorling Kindersley
8. Good Hotel Guide
9. Inyourpocket.com
10. Baedeker
American writer Thomas Kohnstamm has recently declared in his book, Travel Writers Go to Hell?, that he penned a section in a Lonely Planet Colombia guide without even visiting Columbia. With the London Book Fair currently on it's certainly been one of the main issues on the agenda.
This particular case is obviously an extreme case and hopefully a unique case. There will no doubt be a place for some internet research for travel guides and no writer can ever say that they have the time to stay in every hotel. What may be the case is that writers will research better rated hotels and then choose to visit those ones and review them.
Travel guides will always be of use, simply for their take away handiness, anyone that's ever tried printing out reams of information from the web will know that it's less timeconsuming, and far less wasteful to take a guidebook away.
According to the Times today the current Top 10 Travel Guide books are:
1. Time Out
2. Bradt
3. Lonely Planet (in despite of the recent news)
4. Rough Guides
5. Luxe
6. Footprint
7. Dorling Kindersley
8. Good Hotel Guide
9. Inyourpocket.com
10. Baedeker
Monday, 14 April 2008
Business Travel still growing
A new survey claims that business travel is still growing despite of fears of a credit crisis. According to research released from the Barclaycard Business Travel Survey 44% of business travellers travelled more in 2007 than they did in 2006.
Plus a third of all business travellers plan to travel more again in 2008 than they did in 2007. The results show that business expansion is the main reason for further travelling, whether that be business expansion in the UK or overseas expansion.
Business travel is increasing but more and more business travellers are tightening their belts and flying economy class. With more and more European expansion, and the rise of cheap flights, means that some companies just cannot justify paying for the more traditional business carriers such as British Airways, when flights can be bought through Ryanair or Easyjet for 1p (plus taxes of course). In fact 55% of business travellers said they they would be more likely to fly economy class. 46% said they would be more likey to fly economy class the previous year.
You can buy travel maps and guides for all types of travel on www.mapsinternational.co.uk/travel.asp
Plus a third of all business travellers plan to travel more again in 2008 than they did in 2007. The results show that business expansion is the main reason for further travelling, whether that be business expansion in the UK or overseas expansion.
Business travel is increasing but more and more business travellers are tightening their belts and flying economy class. With more and more European expansion, and the rise of cheap flights, means that some companies just cannot justify paying for the more traditional business carriers such as British Airways, when flights can be bought through Ryanair or Easyjet for 1p (plus taxes of course). In fact 55% of business travellers said they they would be more likely to fly economy class. 46% said they would be more likey to fly economy class the previous year.
You can buy travel maps and guides for all types of travel on www.mapsinternational.co.uk/travel.asp
point it - the new craze on how to communicate abroad
'Point it' has been a slow burning success, having been first published a good few years ago now. It now sits in the top ten travel books by sales. The concept basically is to put a lot of photo's in one book so that you can point at one in an effort to make yourself understood in any foreign country. A great alternative to a phrase book, especially in countries with varying dialects.
It's so small and lightweight it's perfect for all types of travelling including backpackers, it would easily slip into a side pocket without taking hardly any room.
Plus at only £3.99 can you really afford not to take one with you. The perfect travel accessory.
Purchase Point It on mapsinternational.co.uk. Alternatively we have a large amount of phrase books on offer.
Thursday, 10 April 2008
Ordnance Survey: Cost Effectiveness
Below is the response from Iain Wright MP, Minister responsible for OS to Mark Prisk MP's latest Parliamentary Question, on behalf of Locus. This question focuses on Ordnance Survey's public task following the publication of the both Cambridge Review of Trading Funds and the updated definition of Locus' core public task.
It is interesting to note in Mr Wright's response that the definition was approved before the Cambridge Review, and that neither OPSI or APPSI were consulted.
Mr. Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what account was taken of the cost-benefit analysis commissioned from Cambridge University on trading funds when formulating Ordnance Survey's new public sector task; (2) what account was taken of (a) advice and (b) guidance from (i) the Office of Public Sector Information and (ii) the Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information in formulating Ordnance Survey's new public sector task; (3) what Government agencies and offices were consulted on the formulation of Ordnance Survey's public sector task.
Mr. Iain Wright: In April 2007, Ministers asked Ordnance Survey and the Shareholder Executive to work together to prepare a more precise articulation of Ordnance Survey’s Public Task as set out in the Ordnance Survey Framework Document 2004. This work was undertaken between April and June 2007.
Ministers approved the revised Public Task document in July 2007 before the Cambridge University study was commissioned. The Shareholder Executive conducted discussions with senior officials in Ordnance Survey and the Department for Communities and Local Government before submitting the Public Task document to Ministers. Neither the Office of Public Sector Information nor the Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information were consulted.
Buy Ordnance Survey maps online
It is interesting to note in Mr Wright's response that the definition was approved before the Cambridge Review, and that neither OPSI or APPSI were consulted.
Mr. Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what account was taken of the cost-benefit analysis commissioned from Cambridge University on trading funds when formulating Ordnance Survey's new public sector task; (2) what account was taken of (a) advice and (b) guidance from (i) the Office of Public Sector Information and (ii) the Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information in formulating Ordnance Survey's new public sector task; (3) what Government agencies and offices were consulted on the formulation of Ordnance Survey's public sector task.
Mr. Iain Wright: In April 2007, Ministers asked Ordnance Survey and the Shareholder Executive to work together to prepare a more precise articulation of Ordnance Survey’s Public Task as set out in the Ordnance Survey Framework Document 2004. This work was undertaken between April and June 2007.
Ministers approved the revised Public Task document in July 2007 before the Cambridge University study was commissioned. The Shareholder Executive conducted discussions with senior officials in Ordnance Survey and the Department for Communities and Local Government before submitting the Public Task document to Ministers. Neither the Office of Public Sector Information nor the Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information were consulted.
Buy Ordnance Survey maps online
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
Product Review - AA Bed & Breakfast France
Bed & Breakfast France by the AA is perhaps the most popular guide to this style of travelling in France. The book is made in partnership with Gites de France which ensures that each property is up to the required standards for visitors. Gites in France range from grades 1 to 4, but within the AA Bed and Breakfast guide to France you will only find those at levels 3 and 4 to ensure that the standards are high.
The book starts with an easy to read map of France to get you to the page you need quickly. More detailed maps of each area are shown at the back of the travel guide. Then there is a quick guide to staying in a Chambre D'hote in France which is invaluable if you've never stayed in one before. There is also information on how to book a Chambre D'hote and sample letters of how to book in French and in English. Having stayed in a Chambre D'hote myself I can honestly say that the French example of a booking letter will be invaluable. Many of the B&B's are in non commercial areas where not many English visit and you may find your hosts do not speak any English. I'd well advise you to take a phrase book for dinner conversation as well!
The guide also contains general information about travelling in France, such as information about driving in France, how to travel to France by the various methods, French public holidays, medical information and other useful details and phone numbers.
The B&B listings have an easy to use layout, with clear gradings to the standard of each B&B shown, they also display the contact details you will need to book and find your chosen destination. Also a short desciption is provided with invaluable information about what that Chambre D'hote is like. Then there are icons to show what facilities are are available on site and in the local area. Finally the guide tells you whether English is spoken or not, something you should bear in mind depending on your standard of French.
This guide is perfect for those wishing to experience a B&B (Chambre D'hote) in France. It contains everything you will need to know about booking and visiting the Chambre D'hote. It perhaps is slightly to large to carry around for those of you touring and booking as you go, I suggest photocopying the pages you require. All in all a great travel guide for this specific subject, I don't think there's a better one available.
Other useful guides and maps to visiting and staying in France
France by Cadogan
Berlitz Shortcut to French
Tuesday, 8 April 2008
Vodka Ad map causes stir
The Vodka brand Absolut Vodka has got itself into trouble with it's latest advertising campaign seen above.
According to the Independent:
"The storm in a shot glass was provoked by advertisements that depict an antique map of North America dating back to before the 1848 Mexican-American War, when large swaths of what is now the United States, including all of California and other south-western states, belonged to Mexico. One of a series of ads that run under the tag-line "In an Absolut World", the spot was a cheeky attempt to tap into simmering nationalistic sentiments in Mexico, which chafes at its status as the "poor neighbour" of a country that it once partly owned."
On the Absolut blog on Friday the spokesperson said
"In no way was this meant to offend or disparage, nor does it advocate an altering of borders, nor does it lend support to any anti-American sentiment, nor does it reflect immigration issues. Instead, it hearkens to a time which the population of Mexico may feel was more ideal. As a global company, we recognize that people in different parts of the world may lend different perspectives or interpret our ads in a different way than was intended in that market."
So far there have been nearly 2000 comments posted on that blog alone and it's caused quite a stir on many other blog sites.
Sources:
Monday, 7 April 2008
Walking in Oxfordshire
The mapsinternational.co.uk team went for a walk in the snow in Oxfordshire yesterday. We used an AA walking guide 50 walks in Oxfordshire to help us choose a good walk that was local to us and specifically one with a pub at the end! The AA walking guides each contain around 50 themed walks of around 2 to 10 miles each with a descriptive about the area you are walking around. They also include a handrawn map of the area with key points of interest to help you navigate the route, and include a useful written descriptive of the route. This method is perfect for those that aren't that confident with an OS map.The areas covered in the book include, Oxford, Chipping Norton, Wantage, Blenheim Palace, Abingdon, Witney and many more. I would advise taking an Ordnance Survey folded map with you just in case you end up off the route. The OS Explorer map series are the most popular and best for walking. However we actually used an OS Landranger map as we happened to have one loitering in the Maps International admin office. The map was OS Landranger number LR164. There are other good walking books to Oxfordshire depending on what you're looking for. A popular one on the mapsinternational.co.uk website is the Best Tea Shop Walks in Oxfordshire , or the Jarrold walking books are also popular, Jarrold Short Walks in Oxfordshire would also be a good book to choose good routes in. Alternatively as many of you won't be based in Oxfordshire just visit our page with a whole host of walking books and walking guides on - see http://www.mapsinternational.co.uk/products_search.asp?mcat=default&search=walk
The walk we chose started and ended at the Boat Inn in Thrupp. Being only a couple of miles from our offices in Long Hanborough it was easy for everyone to get to. The walk took us on a 5 mile circular route along the canal and river and then round the lovely woodland in that area. Ending back at the Boat Inn 2 hours later was perfect, and we enjoyed a lovely Sunday afternoon dinner in the warmth after coming in from the cold.
Friday, 4 April 2008
Welcome to the mapsinternational.co.uk blog.
Welcome to the new mapsinternational.co.uk blog. It’s been a while in the making but we’ve finally made it here!
On our blog you’ll find a variety of product news, travel news, features, destination reviews and much more.
Firstly, I’m sure you’ve all noticed that we’ve been updating our website over the past year. We really want to make it more user friendly and we’re trying to iron out any little bugs there may be. If you have any suggestions of anything we should be including on our website then please put it on the comments to this blog entry.
Over the next couple of months we will be updating our website to include more comprehensive travel and business mapping pages.
Within our travel shop, we’ll be adding more information about each product and making more free travel guides and other information available.
The Business Map Centre will be getting the largest overhaul. This will have lots more information about all the different business mapping services and business mapping products that we offer.
We’re going to add a whole host of information about mapping services that some of you probably don’t even realise that we offer. We’re adding information about our web mapping services, GIS Services and other business mapping solutions. But more about that when it goes live in the next couple of weeks.
We’ll be launching the new Business Map Centre at Internet World on the 29th April – 1st May. You can register for free at www.internetworld.co.uk.
That’s all for the first blog posting, watch out for more very soon.
The mapsinternational.co.uk team
On our blog you’ll find a variety of product news, travel news, features, destination reviews and much more.
Firstly, I’m sure you’ve all noticed that we’ve been updating our website over the past year. We really want to make it more user friendly and we’re trying to iron out any little bugs there may be. If you have any suggestions of anything we should be including on our website then please put it on the comments to this blog entry.
Over the next couple of months we will be updating our website to include more comprehensive travel and business mapping pages.
Within our travel shop, we’ll be adding more information about each product and making more free travel guides and other information available.
The Business Map Centre will be getting the largest overhaul. This will have lots more information about all the different business mapping services and business mapping products that we offer.
We’re going to add a whole host of information about mapping services that some of you probably don’t even realise that we offer. We’re adding information about our web mapping services, GIS Services and other business mapping solutions. But more about that when it goes live in the next couple of weeks.
We’ll be launching the new Business Map Centre at Internet World on the 29th April – 1st May. You can register for free at www.internetworld.co.uk.
That’s all for the first blog posting, watch out for more very soon.
The mapsinternational.co.uk team
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