The Influence of VISUALS in The Influence of VISUALS in Online HOTEL Online HOTEL SSearchearch and and BOOKINGSBOOKINGS

byby PanoGraphPanoGraph Ltd.Ltd.

How to capture theimagination

- and bookings -of travel shoppers?

1.1. BookingBooking online is online is basedbased onon VISUALSVISUALS

2.2. Online Online habitshabits of of leisureleisure travellerstravellers

3.3. VisualsVisuals areare „„veryvery importantimportant””

4.4. VISUALS versus Star VISUALS versus Star RatingRating and and BrandBrand

5.5. The The importanceimportance of of PhotographsPhotographs & & VirtualVirtual ToursTours

6.6. Virtual RealityVirtual Reality –– VirtualVirtual ToursTours

7.7. BenefitsBenefits of of thethe 360 360 degreedegree Virtual Virtual ToursTours

8.8. BIG Guys BIG Guys alreadyalready deploydeploy 360 360 degreedegree imagingimaging……

9.9. and and holidayholiday shoppersshoppers useuse GoogleGoogle StreetViewStreetView

10.10. A A casecase studystudy -- DoubleDouble DigitDigit ConversionConversion LiftLift

11.11. PanoGraph PanoGraph deliversdelivers unbeatableunbeatable qualityquality

12.12. SomeSome of of ourour ClientsClients

13.13. ContactContact usus

LearnLearn aboutabout tthe importance ofhe importance of 360360°° Virtual Virtual ToursToursfor Hotelsfor Hotels inin SE SE AsiaAsia

BookingBooking online is online is basedbased onon VISUALSVISUALS

§ 73% of those who stay in hotels when they travel start their stay by researching hotel accommodations online.

§ most of these online travelers consider visualsof hotels important factors in selecting one hotel over another online. These are photos, 360 degree virtual tours and videos

§ When looking at the factors that online travelers rate as “very important” when selecting a hotel, visuals rate higher than a number of other key factors, including the property’s star ratings, destination information, loyalty program, the hotel brand and customer testimonials and reviews.

The facts are based on survey ‘THE INFLUENCE OF VISUALS IN ONLINE HOTEL RESEARCH AND BOOKING BEHAVIOR“ by VFM Interactive, USA

§ On average, content sensitive leisure travelers visit 20 to 25 websites whenresearching properties online with business travelers visiting 10 to 15 websites.

§ 67% from online booking have traveled for leisure in the past year, and more than 23%have traveled for business purposes.

§ 21% use only travel agency sites and no hotel sites, 30% utilize hotel sites only and do not use travel agency sites and 64% use a combination of both travel agency and hotel web sites.

§ Travel shoppers who view virtual tours are 67% more likely to book than those who don’t.

Online Online habitshabits of of leisureleisure travellerstravellers

The facts are based on survey ‘THE INFLUENCE OF VISUALS IN ONLINE HOTEL RESEARCH AND BOOKING BEHAVIOR“ by VFM Interactive, USA

VisualsVisuals areare „„veryvery importantimportant””

§ 69% of the people who say they research for hotels online more than seven times per year, rate visuals as “very important”

The facts are based on survey ‘THE INFLUENCE OF VISUALS IN ONLINE HOTEL RESEARCH AND BOOKING BEHAVIOR“ by VFM Interactive, USA

§ Visuals remain at the front of the pack (69%) and second only to a hotel’s written description (71%).

VISUALS versus Star VISUALS versus Star RatingRating and and BrandBrand

The facts are based on survey ‘THE INFLUENCE OF VISUALS IN ONLINE HOTEL RESEARCH AND BOOKING BEHAVIOR“ by VFM Interactive, USA

The The importanceimportance of of PhotographsPhotographs & & VirtualVirtual ToursTours

§ Online travelers find both still photographs and rich media important and useful.

§ The 64% say quality still Photographs are important in Hotel Booking Decision

§ Nearly 69% say a 360º virtual tours would be “useful” or “very useful” in helping them select a hotel that matches their preferences and expectations.

§ While nearly 48% believe a short video showing a property’s features and amenities would be “useful” or “very useful.”

The facts are based on survey ‘THE INFLUENCE OF VISUALS IN ONLINE HOTEL RESEARCH AND BOOKING BEHAVIOR“ by VFM Interactive, USA

Virtual RealityVirtual Reality –– VirtualVirtual ToursTours

§ Virtual Reality Tours are beyond static images. Much more than pictures can tell. Imagine being right there. Go left. Go right. Look up. And down. Zoom in. Zoom out. You have all the controls just like real life.

§ The visitors can have full spherical view of interior and exterior of your property from every angle and can virtually examine and can make decision instantly and easily with confidence.

§ And because of clear and thorough presentation visitors’ decision making process becomes easy and thus you can generate more reservations.

BenefitsBenefits of of thethe 360 360 degreedegree Virtual Virtual ToursTours

§ Hotels - With PanoGraph Virtual Toursyour visitors can virtually go through important sections of your hotel like rooms, banquet hall, restaurant or lounge and take a quick decision and finalize booking.

§ Research shows that VirtualVirtual TourTour promises 46% more sales to hotels than still photography.

§ Resorts - We can impressively capture the picturesque beauty of your resort along with other facilities you provide.

BIG Guys BIG Guys alreadyalready deploydeploy 360 360 degreedegree imagingimaging

•• Expedia deploys Google Expedia deploys Google StreetviewStreetview for new hotel search system - www.expediahotelview.co.uk

• Expedia says potential buyers are always curious as to what kind of an area a hotel might be in; how close it is to attractions or landmarks; and does the hotel look old or new?

• This is where Google Streetview comes in handy. Users can head straight to the location on Streetview and perform all the usual functions.

• New research has revealed that one in ten people use Google Street View 360° panoramas to help choose their holiday destination, and a further 56% would use the service when moving to a new house or area.

– http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/39296-One-in-ten-use-Google-Street-View-to-help-pick-holiday-destination

• Google uses expensive 360 degree imaging technology and is notavailable everywhere…,

•• BUTBUT there are less expensive, customizable alternatives that deliver better quality, and that’s PanoGraph Virtual Tours

and and holidayholiday shoppersshoppers useuse GoogleGoogle StreetViewStreetView

•• How has Key West Marriott Beachside Hotel How has Key West Marriott Beachside Hotel achieved aachieved a double digit increase in online double digit increase in online bookingsbookings over last year?over last year?

•• SimplySimply by providing a visual travel shopping visual travel shopping experienceexperience that puts their story front and center.

„„Their Their virtual toursvirtual tours are getting are getting approximately approximately 3,000 views3,000 views per per

month!!month!!””October 19, 2010. by VFM Leonardo

– http://panograph.hu/vietnam/pdf/4_Marriott_BS_3000_views_month_virtour.pdf

A A casecase studystudy -- DoubleDouble DigitDigit ConversionConversion LiftLift

• The Streetview application is limited and can show only the surroundings of somelocations

• PanoGraph has all the knowledge, the knowledge, resources, expertise and experience to resources, expertise and experience to provide you provide you thethe latestlatest statestate of of thethe art art fullfullimmersiveimmersive, 360, 360°° VirtualVirtual Tours Tours forfor allall of of thethe venuesvenues of of youryour HotelHotel

• We create outstanding 360º panoramas tobe incorporated into our Virtual Tours that are true to life and capture the imaginationof your target audience

• We create outstanding 360360ºº panoramaspanoramasthat are incorporated into our Virtual Virtual ToursTourswith unbeatable quality in the region.

PanoGraph PanoGraph deliversdelivers unbeatableunbeatable qualityquality

SomeSome of of ourour ClientsClientsWe have done many 360º Virtual Tour projects for clients like,§ Hotels, Resorts, Governmental clients in Europe and SE Asia§ Real Estate businesses in Hungary and SE Asia§ Real Estate companies, High Class restaurants, Schools in Vietnam

ItIt doesdoes notnot costcost, , itit payspays!!

• Virtual tours have been proven to significantly increase the bottom line for many businesses. For example, hotels that use virtual tours see an average 16% increase in bookings, with a four-week return on investment. It really can be the most cost effective marketing investment a business makes.

• The web’s most powerful feature is interactivity, and the 360 degree image is, by its very nature, a highly interactive medium. That means 360VR can be an extremely powerful selling tool for any application that involves place, space, context or experience.

• A Omni Hotels found that online visitors who were offered 360VR tours were 67% more likely to book a room online. And the richer the media (adding video, music, voiceover, animation, etc.) the higher the conversion rates, more than doubling “look to book” ratios. Bottom line, research indicates that 360° virtual tours results in 16% more bookings overall. (TIG Global)

• Any accountant or economist will tell you that true cost isn't just the out of pocket expense, but must include the alternatives. If you spend $2,500 on a virtual tour that brings in $85,000 of additional revenue (common for the hospitality industry) how much does it really cost? Would that $2,500 used any other way bring that kind of return?

• In the hotel industry, for example, average ROI is four weeks. A virtual tour starts being effective as soon as it goes up and keeps generating income with no additional cost..

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