Google Earth tool launched to enhance travel websites
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.â€
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt