Google has begun to allow users in Australia to add pins and markers to its Google Maps application, presenting a golden opportunity for travel companies to gain visibility to travellers, says Bronwyn White, co-founder of MyTravelResearch.com
MyTravelResearch.com was recently invited to join Google as one of their Sydney City Experts at the Google Sydney MapUp. The goal of the session was to add as many businesses on Google Maps as we could.
I guess Google are asking us to help them do the work. But there is definitely a mutual benefit for us all in the travel industry.
The exciting thing about the whole shebang is that Australia is the first country where Google will allow anyone to add any business or place of interest on to Google Maps. If you live in another country, this function will be rolled out fairly quickly, so don’t worry.
So, what’s new?
Previously, you needed to be a business for example, claiming a Google My Business (http://www.google.com.au/business/) page to let Google know if your business was not on Google Map. Or you had to rely on Google picking up your business from other sources, but now anyone can place a pin on the map.
Insight to action: what does this mean?
It means that if you are a destination, a regional tourism organisation or a local government area, you now have the power to ensure there is as much information as possible available online for potential travellers passing through your region. This is a fabulous way to stimulate your local visitor economy.
Mobile technology and ensuring information is available at all times is at the forefront of the Google Philosophy. And products like Google Maps are becoming more important as we turn to our mobile devices more and more. Indeed, Matt Cutts, head of the Google web spam team, indicated Google mobile queries may surpass PC search later this year.
The mobile traveller scenario
Imagine road-tripping travellers driving into through a region just after 17.00. The visitor information centre is closed. The road-weary travellers are looking for a place to stay and a good restaurant.
They pull out their iPad and start searching on Google Maps for this information. They are familiar with the iconic red pins and markers and how they relay the type of information they may be looking for in their travels. This includes places of interest, attractions, hotels, and restaurants.
If they town looks like a red pin desert, that is, there is not a lot on the map, they may decide to move on to the next town.
If your town or region does not many of its attractions, hotels, restaurants, shops or places of interest on Google Maps, you run the risk of losing them. If there are many red pins showing accommodation and restaurants (and reviews on Google+), chances are they will stay.
After eating out and staying the night, they might have a look around in the morning or stay another night if they see that the town has lots of things to do and places of interest.
What can you do?
This is great news if you are a tourism body such as a regional tourism organisation or a destination – even a person with an interest in mapping. We now share the responsibility of ensuring relevant and interesting information about our places are available to the mobile traveller.
Previously, it was left up to the entity or a business to claim their business page or for them to let Google know if it wasn’t on the map. Now we can all do it.
And it’s easy.
MyTravelResearch.com has created a video showing you how to place a business or place of interest on Google Maps (see below)
Further information: mytravelresearch.com
By Bronwyn White
Bronwyn White (@BronwynWhite) has 22 years experience in the travel and tourism industry in the areas of market research, sales and marketing. In addition to market research and marketing services, White currently focuses on helping the tourism and small business sectors make the most of the online and digital resources. She also runs a well respected seniors travel blog, www.newyoungtravel.com.au.
