When it comes to signs for leisure & tourist destinations, first impressions count.  One of the key elements that contribute to a great visitor experience is effective signage. From guiding and educating to engaging, entertaining, and ensuring safety, having the right signs, in the right places makes all the difference.

With over 50 years of experience helping clients, we’ve compiled a list of the top five must-have signs for your destination to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for all.

1. Welcome Signs

As the first point of contact for visitors, welcome signs set the tone for their experience. A well-designed entrance sign creates a positive first impression, builds excitement, and provides essential information such as the name of the attraction or destination, opening hours, and directions to key areas like the car park, café, and main entrance.

2. Directional Signs

Visiting a destination for the first time can be disorienting. Set visitors at ease with helpful directional signs that guide them to key areas, attractions, facilities, and exit points. These signs should be clear, concise, and strategically placed at all junctions and decision points to help visitors find their way easily.

3. Information Signage

Information signs and freestanding signage give useful and more detailed insights that are relevant to an attraction, destination, or venue. These boards should be visually appealing, featuring engaging content such as images, maps, and interesting facts or helpful information designed to enhance the visitor experience.

4. Functional Signs for Leisure & Tourist Destinations

Whilst they may not have such a high design ascetic, functional signage plays a crucial role in ensuring visitor safety, convenience, and accessibility covering items like:

• Safety & Prohibited Actions Signs: Safety and prohibited actions signs inform visitors of potential hazards, emergency procedures, and safety protocols. Examples include “Caution: Wet Floor,” “Keep Off Grass,” “Emergency Exit,” “No Smoking,” “No Littering,” and “No Flash Photography” signs. These warning signs should be highly visible and easy to understand. Check out our anti-vandalism signage options to ensure robust signs that can withstand both human and weather forces.
• Restroom Signs: Clearly marked restroom signs are essential for visitor convenience. These signs should be easily identifiable and strategically placed to ensure visitors can locate restrooms without hassle.
• Accessibility Signs: Indicate wheelchair-accessible routes, facilities, and services to ensure that attractions are inclusive and that visitors with disabilities can navigate comfortably and safely.
• Parking Signs: Clear parking signs direct visitors to dedicated parking areas.  Be sure to include signage for designated spots for disabled parking, staff parking, and other special needs.

5. Temporary, Event, and Promotion Signs

Not all signs are relevant year-round. Temporary, event, and promotional signage keep visitors informed and engaged with upcoming events, special exhibits, or seasonal menus and activities. These signs play a crucial role in maintaining visitor interest and promoting new experiences. Formats like information boards with changeable poster holders, A-frame boards, or wall and window vinyls can be useful for this transient signage.

Signage Review for Leisure & Tourist Destinations

By providing clear, informative, and well-placed signs, you can enhance the visitor experience, ensure safety, and promote efficient navigation throughout your site – whatever the season.

We hope you found this list of must-have signs useful. To put these tips into action, we recommend reviewing your site for any missing or unclear signage. Then, get in touch to find out how we can help you design and implement the perfect signs for your destination to make every visit a memorable one!