0403 023 223 info@virtualize.com.au

With problems like the ongoing drought in Outback Queensland, and tragedies such as the Zip Line Death and Shark Attacks in Far North Qld, the media (circling like a “pack of sharks”) is, at the moment, full of bad news stories about Queensland Tourism… but there are still plenty of fantastic Tourist Attractions and Destinations available for tourists coming to Queensland…

These tragic events obviously need to be addressed and dealt with, but rather than dwelling on the negative aspects, organisations like Tourism and Events Queensland and Tourism Australia should be focusing on all the amazing opportunities for tourists in Queensland …. and Virtual Tours offer an ideal way to offer potential tourists a Taste of what Queensland has to offer ….

Virtual Tours and even simple 360° Panoramas are a fantastic way to showcase Tourist Attractions and Destinations, – not just for international travellers but also for interstate and even local tourists..

Queensland Tourism Awards

Recently the Queensland Tourism Awards for 2019 were announced (see winners in the major categories below)… Some of these are using very simple 360° imagery, but ALL could potentially benefit significantly and expand their reach by creating, publishing and promoting more sophisticated Virtual Tours to showcase what they have to offer and give potential visitors a Taste of the Experience.

Gold: Australian Age of Dinosaurs
No Official Virtual Tour – some basic “visitor” submitted Panospheres on Google Maps

Silver: Australia Zoo
Provide a “Zoo Map” and an App, but no Official Virtual Tour – some basic (and usually poor quality) “visitor” submitted Panospheres on Google Maps

Bronze: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Offer a Google Virtual Tour (from 2017) and some basic  “visitor” submitted Panospheres on Google Maps

Gold: Cobbold Gorge
No Official Virtual Tour – and (surprisingly) few “visitor” submitted panospheres on Google Maps

Silver: Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience
No Official Virtual Tour – some poor quality “visitor” submitted panospheres on Google Maps

Bronze: Paronella Park
Google Virtual Tour (from 2014) and lots of  “visitor” submitted Panospheres on Google Maps

Gold: Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort
Currently provide Island and Resort Maps, and Photo/Video Galleries… but No Official Virtual Tour… has a stunning Underwater Virtual Tour (from Underwater Earth) and lots of (generally poor quality) “visitor” submitted Panospheres on Google Maps

Silver: Fun Over Fifty
Offer Tours throughout Autralia.. but not currently providing Virtual Tours to any of their destinations

Bronze: Paronella Park
Google Virtual Tour (from 2014) and lots of  “visitor” submitted Panospheres on Google Maps

Gold: Rainforestation Nature Park-Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience
Offer a variety of Tours and Experiences, but not currently offering any Virtual Tours

Silver: Minjerribah Camping
Offer a variety of Tours and Activities on Stradbroke Island, but not currently offering any Virtual Tours

Bronze: Spirits of the Red Sand
Offer a variety of Events and Experiences, but not currently offering any Virtual Tours

Highly Commended: Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre
Offer a variety of Tours and, but not currently offering any Virtual Tours

Gold: Julia Creek Visitor Information Centre
No Virtual Tour but a few (generally poor quality) “visitor” submitted panospheres on Google Maps

Silver: The Mackay Region Visitor Information Centre
No Virtual Tour but quite a few (mixed quality) “visitor” submitted panospheres on Google Maps

Bronze: Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre
A Google Virtual Tour (5,600+ Views in 5 months), a Standalone Virtual Tour for The Esplanade, and lots of “visitor” submitted panospheres on Google Maps

Highly Commended: Cunnamulla Fella Visitor Information Centre
No Virtual Tour but quite a few “visitor” submitted panospheres on Google Maps

Benefits of Virtual Tours

Virtual Tours offer a range of unique benefits which make them extremely effective at showcasing and promoting tourism based activities and events :

  • Innovation – Offer a very impressive “wow” factor – particular when coupled with aerial imagery
  • Connectivity & Accessibility – Provide a spatial awareness which is not possible with most other forms of marketing. Virtual Tours can be used by anyone with internet access via a variety of devices (mobile, desktop, VR Headset)…
  • Experiential  & Interactive – Offer an “experience” based interface, where users get to Interact and actually participate. This provides a level of emotional attachment not available through traditional media (photos and video)
  • Inspirational – Offer a “taste” of the experience and provide insights into what is on offer, which very often results in a “I want to see more” moment. 
  • Recycle – Virtual Tours are able to incorporate and reference existing content (information, Photos, Video, Stories, Links, Audio, etc…) .
  • Extendable – can very easily be updated, modified and improved to update or add extra activities and experiences

The Tabs below provide examples of different ways (primarily in South East Queensland) that 360° Imagery has been used for promoting Tourism :

Virtual Tours published to Google are directly available via Google Search and Google Maps, and can be embedded into a website, social media.. or emailed as a link. However Google Virtual Tours have relatively limited features.

Click and Drag an image to move around

Standalone Virtual Tours are often one of the most effective ways to promote tourism as they give you much more control of the experience. They also offer a wide range of features such as :

  • Logo/Branding
  • Custom Icons
  • Menu Navigation
  • External Links
  • a variety of Hotspots and popup capabilities (e.g. Photo, Gallery, Video, Audio)
  • Auto-rotation
  • and much much more.

Click and Drag an image to move around

See esplanade.panoview.com.au for Full Screen version

See lescapade.panoview.com.au for Full Screen version

See naturalbridge.panoview.com.au for Full Screen version

Individual 360° Photos (Panospheres) provide an interactive 360° experience allowing users full control to look around (tilt, pan and zoom).

Click and Drag an image to move around

Panospheres can be uploaded directly to Google Maps, Social Media, or 3rd party Tourism sites such as Expedia or Tripadvisor

Aerial 360° Panospheres provide a unique “overhead” perspective on a location. The best quality aerial photos consist of multiple photographs taken with a drone or UAV and processed to create a single high quality 360° aerial photo.

Aerial 360s offer a unique way to show a large area and, when incorporated into a virtual tour, offer a fantastic framework for showcasing tourist destinations.

Click and Drag an image to move around

25,000+ Views in 10 months

What Does it Cost ?

Costs will vary depending on the location, the size and layout of the area/s you want covered, and the features/functionality that you’d like to include… Prices start from as little as $100 for a single 360° panosphere up to thousands of dollars for large sophisticated standalone virtual tours.

We would typically be able to provide a ballpark figure once we have spoken to you, but may need to undertake a site visit to provide you with a formal quote.

Find Out More…

If you’d like to discuss how we can help you to incorporate 360° Photos, Video or Virtual Tours into your Tourism Marketing Campaign, please give Andy a call on 0403 023 223 or Contact Us.