PHOENIX—Best Western International announced today that it is working with Google to be the first hotel brand to launch Google Business Photos for all its hotels in North America. The brand will have all its 2,200 hotels in North America photographed for Business Photos by the end of 2014.
By adopting Google Business Photos, which are premium-quality 360-degree virtual tours powered by Google Street View technology, Best Western hotels will provide travelers with an interactive experience when they are searching for a hotel. With just a few clicks guests will be able to virtually walk through the hotel and explore the lobby or restaurant or go inside a guestroom. Travelers will see Google Business Photos at Google Search results, Google Maps, Google+ and Google Hotel Finder whether they’re using their computers, smartphones or tablets.
“Best Western’s leadership and owners acted strongly and decisively on two superior market insights: consumer decision making in the hospitality category is increasingly moving online, and the internet is becoming more of a visually-driven medium. It made perfect sense for Best Western, as a digital leader, to invest in this partnership with the leading online search company to offer the best experience possible,” stated Best Western’s Dorothy Dowling, SVP of marketing and sales.
Google Business Photos allow consumers to interactively engage with products and services before they make a purchase or take a trip. Google approached Best Western to beta test the virtual tour product earlier this year.