An online marketing company has launched a Google Earth tool which allows travel companies to display exact GPS positions of every hotel and attraction on their site.

Bigblueroad.com, a division of Discover The World Marketing, has teamed up with technology company Quirk eMarketing to unveil the new tool which uses a dynamic Google Earth layer on companies’ own websites.

Using the Google Earth layer, information is displayed through icons of interest that open into pop up pages with text, photographs and video to engage the user.

“If the virtual tourists like what they see, they can click on a link to discover more information about that tourist hotspot,” explained Ian Murray, senior director of marketing and product development of Discover the World Marketing.

“Destinations using this new technology have a greater chance of capturing a visitor stay as well as increasing the length of stay in the region because consumers have a better way to plan their journey through the ability to show geography, distances and the real beauty of the location. Google Earth offers the user a new virtual experience that changes their entire online travel experience.”

By Bev Fearis