A recent Pew Internet and American Life study shows that 45% of online US adults have taken a virtual tour online. About 2 million US users take a virtual tour a day. I don't have Canadian stats, although my guess would be that more than 45% of Canadian users have tried virtual tours, since there is a higher level of high speed internet service in Canada.
This is great news for online marketers who target consumers at distance, including accommodations operators, tourist attraction operators, real estate agents and cultural exhibits.
We've always known that pictures help to sell an experience, whether on TV or in print. Now we know that a virtual tour can help people imagine themselves there, whether living in a house or going on vacation.
There are lots of inexpensive, high quality virtual tour companies. A good local company in southwestern Ontario is Virtual Properties.
Try a virtual tour on your website, and see if you can increase your online bookings.
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