NEWS
Google technology allows gym and spa guests to book appointments during virtual tours
POSTED 09 Feb 2015 . BY Helen Andrews
Virtual visitors can book appointments during tours of facilities they want to visit, thanks to this technology by Google Credit: Shutterstock / antb
A fast-growing virtual marketing tour developed by Google has the potential to transform the way leisure facilities like health clubs and spas attract new customers.

Google Business View is a technology based on Google’s established StreetView system that allows viewers to take a 360-degree interactive virtual tour of businesses – designed to allow potential customers to virtually explore and interact with places before they visit.

Clients and visitors can explore facilities and locations before they arrive by virtually walking through buildings and can even interact with objects in the pictures – for example a virtual browser could click on a treatment menu that is visible in a tour of a spa. The menu can be read and treatments can be booked during this tour.

This interactivity allows virtual guests to reserve rooms in hotels, select classes to take at gyms, make appointments with personal trainers and is being marketed as a way to better replicate the visitor experience and actively drive appointments and win new business – rather than just a way to showcase facilities.

Still in its infancy, the service does require a business to pay for a photographer to 'map' their premises, but the technology is expected to make major gains in 2015.

“We’ve seen an explosion in the demand for virtual tours as businesses have begun to recognise its value as a marketing tool," said Jay Scott-Nicholls, founder of aardvark360, one of Google’s trusted photographic agencies.

"As the majority of consumers start their search for local services, products or information using the Google search engine and regularly using Google StreetView, we see this innovative technology as an invaluable addition not only to a small business but any size or type of business too."
RELATED STORIES
  FEATURE: Wellness: Wearable technology


The latest wellness wearables for your spa, including devices by Google, Apple and Ralph Lauren
  Mr Porter makes wearable tech moves with exclusive Google Glass tie up


Online fashion retailer Mr Porter has made moves to establish dominance in the wearable technology sector, with the website becoming the exclusive third-party retailer of Google Glass.
  Is Vasper the future of spa fitness offerings?


Vasper, a hi-tech training system based on cooling and compression, has been designed to deliver the benefits of anaerobic exercise without the high intensity effort. With companies including Google among its admirers, the product has been earmarked as a potentially vital tool for helping savvy spa operators make sure their fitness offering is up to date.
  Google continues wearable tech push with smart lens plans


Google’s plans to develop smart contact lenses, designed to foster health benefits and aid vision, have progressed after the firm outlined a partnership with pharmaceutical company Novartis to take the project forward.
 


CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2024

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
 
Leisure Management - Google technology allows gym and spa guests to book appointments during virtual tours...
27 Apr 2024 Leisure Management: daily news and jobs
 
 
HOME
JOBS
NEWS
FEATURES
PRODUCTS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION
PRINT SUBSCRIPTION
ADVERTISE
CONTACT US
Sign up for FREE ezine
Latest news

09 Feb 2015

Google technology allows gym and spa guests to book appointments during virtual tours
BY Helen Andrews

Virtual visitors can book appointments during tours of facilities they want to visit, thanks to this technology by Google

Virtual visitors can book appointments during tours of facilities they want to visit, thanks to this technology by Google
photo: Shutterstock / antb

A fast-growing virtual marketing tour developed by Google has the potential to transform the way leisure facilities like health clubs and spas attract new customers.

Google Business View is a technology based on Google’s established StreetView system that allows viewers to take a 360-degree interactive virtual tour of businesses – designed to allow potential customers to virtually explore and interact with places before they visit.

Clients and visitors can explore facilities and locations before they arrive by virtually walking through buildings and can even interact with objects in the pictures – for example a virtual browser could click on a treatment menu that is visible in a tour of a spa. The menu can be read and treatments can be booked during this tour.

This interactivity allows virtual guests to reserve rooms in hotels, select classes to take at gyms, make appointments with personal trainers and is being marketed as a way to better replicate the visitor experience and actively drive appointments and win new business – rather than just a way to showcase facilities.

Still in its infancy, the service does require a business to pay for a photographer to 'map' their premises, but the technology is expected to make major gains in 2015.

“We’ve seen an explosion in the demand for virtual tours as businesses have begun to recognise its value as a marketing tool," said Jay Scott-Nicholls, founder of aardvark360, one of Google’s trusted photographic agencies.

"As the majority of consumers start their search for local services, products or information using the Google search engine and regularly using Google StreetView, we see this innovative technology as an invaluable addition not only to a small business but any size or type of business too."



Connect with
Leisure Management
Magazine:
View issue contents
Sign up:
Instant Alerts/zines

Print edition
 

News headlines
Efteling to convert steam trains to electric as part of green drive
Efteling to convert steam trains to electric as part of green drive   27 Apr 2024

As part of its drive to become carbon neutral by 2030 and carbon positive by 2032, Dutch theme park Efteling has announced plans to convert its steam .... more>>
Basic-Fit hints Spanish Holmes Place clubs might be sold
Basic-Fit hints Spanish Holmes Place clubs might be sold   26 Apr 2024

There is speculation that Basic Fit will sell the five Spanish Holmes Place clubs it has just acquired from RSG Group in a 47-club deal. In the Q1 .... more>>
Kerzner to expand Siro portfolio with recovery-focused hotels in Los Cabos and Riyadh
Kerzner to expand Siro portfolio with recovery-focused hotels in Los Cabos and Riyadh   25 Apr 2024

Kerzner International has signed deals to operate two new Siro recovery hotels in Mexico and Saudi Arabia, following the launch of the inaugural Siro .... more>>
US spa industry hits record-breaking US$21.3 billion in revenue in 2023
US spa industry hits record-breaking US$21.3 billion in revenue in 2023   24 Apr 2024

The US spa industry is continuing its upward trajectory, achieving an unprecedented milestone with a record-breaking revenue of US$21.3 billion in .... more>>
Immediate rewards can motivate people to exercise, finds new research
Immediate rewards can motivate people to exercise, finds new research   24 Apr 2024

Short-term incentives to exercise, such as using daily reminders, rewards or games, can lead to sustained increases in activity, according to new .... more>>
Shannon Malave appointed spa director at Mohonk Mountain House
Shannon Malave appointed spa director at Mohonk Mountain House   24 Apr 2024

Spa and wellness veteran Shannon Malave has been named spa director at iconic US spa destination Mohonk Mountain House. Based in New York’s verdant .... more>>
Company profile


IndigoFitness

We Create Training Spaces! We've been designing and delivering high quality training spaces for almost 30 years, offering expert advice on everything from flooring types, to equipment mix, to the best utilisation of space.

View full profile>>

Catalogue gallery


Featured Supplier

Elevate your spa business: master global standards and thrive in Saudi Arabia's tourism boom

Elevate your spa business: master global standards and thrive in Saudi Arabia's tourism boom

Discover how to prepare your spa or wellness facility for the influx of international guests and meet global standards as tourism in Saudi Arabia surges. More>>




in this issue

• Virgin gets right to wipe out rent arrears
• Fitness industry mourns passing of Jan Spaticchia
• STA offers mindfulness resources



Latest jobs

Jobs Search



Leisure Centre Duty Manager
Salary: £24,687.57pa + pension + health care + benefits
Location: Uppingham, Oakham, UK
Company: Uppingham School
Leisure Supervisor (Development)
Salary: £32,982 - £37,099pa + excellent pension and benefits
Location: London, UK
Company: City University of London
Fitness Motivator and Personal Trainer
Location: Market Rasen
Company: Everyone Active
Diary dates
Powered by leisurediary.com




28-30 Apr 2024

Spa Life Scotland

Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow,







Published by Leisure Media Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385 | Contact us | About us | © Cybertrek Ltd