Google Virtual Tour Statistics

In July 2015 an independent market research firm conducted a survey to understand the impact of virtual tours on increasing consumers’ interest in local businesses (specifically in booking a reservation at a hotel or restaurant).

Below are the key findings:

Virtual Tours help double interest
in business listings

Those who view a listing with a virtual tour are twice as likely to be interested in booking a reservation there. And among 18-34 year-olds in particular, prospects are 130% more likely to book based on a tour.

2 out of 3 people want more virtual tours

Among people surveyed, 67% want more business listings to have virtual tours. Of the remainder, 26% were indifferent, and 7% stated that more virtual tours were unnecessary.

Google is #1 for Local Search

When searching for restaurants and hotels online, 62% of people use Google.

Study Details

Quantitative market research was conducted in July 2015 by an independent market research firm to understand the impact of virtual tours on increasing consumers’ interest in local businesses (specifically in booking a reservation at a hotel or restaurant).

• An online survey was conducted with consumers who had searched online for a restaurant or hotel within the previous 30 days (using any device).
• A total sample of 1201 respondents was collected between July 21st and August 2nd, 2015.
• Different versions of a local business listing (one for a hotel, the other for a restaurant) were created to include basic info, photos and/or a virtual tour (the same media were used to create each version).
• Respondents were asked to view one of the different versions for each business (in a randomised order). Each respondent viewed: 1 hotel listing + 1 restaurant listing; and 1 listing with a virtual tour + 1 listing without a virtual tour.

Note: Presentation of alternate listings were randomised evenly and consistently throughout field.

• After viewing each listing, respondents were instructed to rate their interest in booking a reservation.
• Ratings for alternate listings (with a tour versus without) were aggregated to understand impact of virtual tours on interest in the featured business.