Google has just launched a Google Map feature, which enables anybody to put tourism businesses and places of interest as pins and markers on Google Maps.
Previously, you have to be a business claiming a Google My Business page to tell Google to put you on the map. Or you had to rely on Google picking up your business from other listings. Now anyone can place a pin on the map, and make a range of tourism businesses and places of interest visible to tourists
Bronwyn White: Google Maps useful sign post on the path to purchase.
Independent tourism research company, MyTravelResarch.com, said if you are a destination, a regional tourism entity or a local government, you now have the power to ensure that there is a large amount of geo-specific information available online for travellers passing through your region.
“In one stroke, Google has liberated Google Maps, It is now a highly effective way for businesses to attract customers, and for local governments, visitor bureaus and regional tourism offices to stimulate their local visitor economies,” added Bronwyn White, co-founder of MyTravelResearch.com.
Google still runs an internal verification process, which ensures markers and pins are legitimate. This process currently takes about a week before the pin or marker with the accompanying information and links to Google+ reviews goes live.
White said the move was significant because Google predicts that by the end of 2014 more searches will be done on mobile devices than on desktops.
So if your town has a large number of red pins and markers showing hotels, restaurants, museums, attractions and activity centres, people may more likely stay and spend if they are passing through, she added.
“Businesses need to realise that Google Maps are an increasingly useful sign post on the path to purchase,” said White.
Google launched this new feature in Australia, and will roll out the freedom to add red pins and markers to other countries soon.
• Below is a video created by My TravelResearch.com to show how to place a business or a place of interest on Google Maps.
