Do you remember the Google cars that we randomly came across all over France a while ago? In 2008, Google launched “Google Cars” in Europe with the aim to photograph European streets and enrich its Google Street View platform. These photographs allowed users to immerse themselves in one click in a different location, a far-away city or even a foreign destination.

But Google did not stop there. In 2013, the company decided to go one step further by suggesting real virtual visits of cultural or tourist sites. The Burj Khalifa in Dubai was the 1^st to test and approve this new and innovative concept. Since then, Street View has collected more than 170 billion images and mapped more than 10 million kilometres of the planet!

“ Did the American giant predict the future? „

2020 will be forever affected by the Covid-19 health crisis leading to a total upheaval of the travel ecosystem, forcing professionals to innovate and create new ways to make consumers dream. Little used in the past, this tool, initiated 7 years ago, fits in perfectly in tourism strategies.

A simple and effective promotion tool:

Google Street View offers a new dimension to tourism actors. It gives them the opportunity to create a virtual and immersive tour, accessible to everyone and free for users. An extraordinary way to attract travellers’ attention to tourist attractions or off-the-beaten-track sites directly from their living room.

With 44% of consumers using mapping (interactive or not) during their travel search according to an Ipsos study, Google Street View is meeting a growing demand. The strategy is simple: make future travellers want to physically discover what they have seen virtually.

“ 44% of consumers use mapping during their travel search according to an Ipsos study „

As an example, Somme Tourisme has worked with Google Street View last summer to promote its region and attract more and more tourists. The tourism board has provided 360° pictures of cycle routes and possible activities to do around the valley in order to offer an immersive virtual journey on the platform. On top of leaving a lasting impression to consumers, this campaign also allowed the region to control the digital image of its different tourist sites.

Our international client Abu Dhabi took advantage of the first lockdown to actively make use of its virtual visits already mapped on Google Street View and gather them on an integrated platform called “Stay Curious“. The Stay Adventurous section allows, among other things, to discover virtually the marvels of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, to visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque or to travel through the desert on a quad bike!

Putting users at the heart of the experience :

Soon users will be able to create immersive experiences themselves because Street View will offer the possibility to capture and publish your own images directly via the mobile app.

True precursor of the current trend emerging today in France and elsewhere, Google, with its virtual tool, is positioning itself among the most powerful digital player for tourism promotion!