Swiss Post offers free international direct mail planner

Swiss Post has released a useful guide to holidays and vacation periods within the major markets in Europe, which should help direct marketers to plan international mailing campaigns. The International HolidayCalendar 2012 is available digitally at the Swiss Post website, while a physical copy can be ordered free of charge.

The wall planner provides a clear overview of both public holidays and school vacations in 20 different European countries.

It even gives an indication of what percentage of the population will be on holiday on each day of the year.

The interactive version of the HolidayCalendar, on the website, allows users to select interested countries and display them in direct comparison.

Swiss Post said it has included dates of more than 115 trade fairs and major conferences and forums for sales and marketing professionals, along with key industry dates and deadlines for key markets including distance selling, tourism, the media, publishers and financial services.

The company suggested the tool would be particularly useful for businesses pursuing new markets abroad.

Paul Taylor, CEO of Swiss Post International UK, said: “The HolidayCalendar really helps with your marketing activities by identifying those all-important national and international dates that will affect the planning and timing of your activities in 2012.”