One of the biggest challenges in securing bookings is TRUST.
The accommodation we choose can make or break a trip. When travellers search for accommodation online, they worry about:
“Will the place look like the photos?”
“Is the room actually big enough?”
“What does the space really feel like?”
“Will the view be good?”
“Is the layout practical?”
"What is the wheelchair access like?"
THE CORE CHALLENGE: EXPECTATION VS REALITY
Even with reviews and photos, travellers struggle to fully trust what they see online because:
So the hesitation isn’t about availability - it’s about confidence in the decision.
“Visitors are still coming. But confidence has clearly become more fragile. In tourism, uncertainty is expensive.” Enver Duminy - CEO Cape Town Tourism
HOW CAN YOU BUILD CONFIDENCE?
“Will the place look like the photos?”
“Is the room actually big enough?”
“What does the space really feel like?”
“Will the view be good?”
“Is the layout practical?”
"What is the wheelchair access like?"
THE CORE CHALLENGE: EXPECTATION VS REALITY
Even with reviews and photos, travellers struggle to fully trust what they see online because:
- Photos are often staged, outdated or edited
- Reviews can feel biased, fake or not relevant
- Key experiential factors (space, atmosphere, noise, safety) are hard to judge
- Every traveler has different expectations
So the hesitation isn’t about availability - it’s about confidence in the decision.
“Visitors are still coming. But confidence has clearly become more fragile. In tourism, uncertainty is expensive.” Enver Duminy - CEO Cape Town Tourism
HOW CAN YOU BUILD CONFIDENCE?
One way would be to offer an immersive pre-experience. This is where 360 WalkThru's become extremely powerful. Instead of static images or standard video, offer:
This removes uncertainty in:
For people with mobility challenges, 360 WalkThru’s are is especially valuable. They can remotely assess key accessibility features such as entrances, room layouts, bathrooms and overall ease of movement.
By offering this level of transparency and control, 360 WalkThru’s empower travellers with mobility challenges to confidently compare and select accommodation that aligns with their accessibility requirements - saving time, reducing stress and enabling more inclusive travel planning.
This is the closest thing to “try before you buy” in travel.
- 360° virtual walkthroughs
- “Walk from the front door to the bedroom”
- “Stand on the balcony and see the real view”
This removes uncertainty in:
- Layout
- Size
- Lighting
- Atmosphere
For people with mobility challenges, 360 WalkThru’s are is especially valuable. They can remotely assess key accessibility features such as entrances, room layouts, bathrooms and overall ease of movement.
By offering this level of transparency and control, 360 WalkThru’s empower travellers with mobility challenges to confidently compare and select accommodation that aligns with their accessibility requirements - saving time, reducing stress and enabling more inclusive travel planning.
This is the closest thing to “try before you buy” in travel.
WHAT IS A 360 WALKTHRU?
A representative does a walk through holding a specialised 360VR camera on a selfie stick in front of them.
When the 360 video is viewed, the selfie stick becomes invisible and it feels as if the camera is floating in front of the person doing the walk through.
While viewing a traveller can ‘look around’ the full 360 video as if they were doing the walking through themselves.
The walk through can have a music soundtrack and it can include a voice over to make it more personal.
View an example of Mapogo Villa at Cheetah Plains - click HERE.
Hosted and viewed on YouTube makes it easy to share and view on multiple devices and platforms. If viewing on your smartphone move your smartphone around to view or use your finger on your screen to scroll around. If viewing on a laptop or desktop, click and drag your mouse to video the full 360VR video.
A representative does a walk through holding a specialised 360VR camera on a selfie stick in front of them.
When the 360 video is viewed, the selfie stick becomes invisible and it feels as if the camera is floating in front of the person doing the walk through.
While viewing a traveller can ‘look around’ the full 360 video as if they were doing the walking through themselves.
The walk through can have a music soundtrack and it can include a voice over to make it more personal.
View an example of Mapogo Villa at Cheetah Plains - click HERE.
Hosted and viewed on YouTube makes it easy to share and view on multiple devices and platforms. If viewing on your smartphone move your smartphone around to view or use your finger on your screen to scroll around. If viewing on a laptop or desktop, click and drag your mouse to video the full 360VR video.
REDUCING UNCERTAINTY - PROVIDING BOOKING CONFIDENCE
When travellers choose where to stay, eat, or what experience to book, they are making decisions without physically being there. The biggest barrier to booking is uncertainty.
A 360 WalkThru dramatically reduces that uncertainty.
Traditional photos show individual moments. A 360 WalkThru creates a journey. When people feel confident, they book.
Instead of isolated images, viewers experience the flow of the space - from the entrance to the living area, from the bedroom to the balcony, or from the restaurant entrance to the table with a view.
Travellers today are highly aware that marketing photos can be carefully staged or even created using Ai. A 360 WalkThru is real, honest and transparent because viewers can look in any direction and explore the space themselves.
A 360 WalkThru immediately differentiates your property, venue or experience from others that rely only on photos or standard video.
Travellers book when they feel confident, emotionally connected and excited.
In a competitive travel market, 360 WalkTru’s are quickly becoming one of the most powerful tools for converting interest into confirmed bookings.
HOW CAN 360 WALKTHU'S BE USED?
When travellers choose where to stay, eat, or what experience to book, they are making decisions without physically being there. The biggest barrier to booking is uncertainty.
A 360 WalkThru dramatically reduces that uncertainty.
Traditional photos show individual moments. A 360 WalkThru creates a journey. When people feel confident, they book.
Instead of isolated images, viewers experience the flow of the space - from the entrance to the living area, from the bedroom to the balcony, or from the restaurant entrance to the table with a view.
Travellers today are highly aware that marketing photos can be carefully staged or even created using Ai. A 360 WalkThru is real, honest and transparent because viewers can look in any direction and explore the space themselves.
A 360 WalkThru immediately differentiates your property, venue or experience from others that rely only on photos or standard video.
Travellers book when they feel confident, emotionally connected and excited.
In a competitive travel market, 360 WalkTru’s are quickly becoming one of the most powerful tools for converting interest into confirmed bookings.
HOW CAN 360 WALKTHU'S BE USED?
360 WalkThru's should be part of your every day marketing mix and plans. They are hosted on YouTube and can be viewed across many different platforms and devices and can be easily embedded into websites, interactive maps and shared via messaging, newsletters, blogs and social media.
The content is also device agnostic and can be viewed as a shared experience inside a SUPER REALITY DOME, immersively (VR headsets), semi-immersively (phones, tablets & Smart TVs), or interactively (desktop/mobile apps & browsers).
The content is also device agnostic and can be viewed as a shared experience inside a SUPER REALITY DOME, immersively (VR headsets), semi-immersively (phones, tablets & Smart TVs), or interactively (desktop/mobile apps & browsers).
360 WalkThru’s will be used by Platypus Digital for BACKPACK, BUDGET or BLING which showcases a destination to travellers on different budgets.
For more information about BACKPACK, BUDGET for BLING, click HERE.
For more information about 360 WalkTru's, please contact:
Stanley Edwards
Platypus Digital
Mobile: +27 82 458 3356
Email: [email protected]
For more information about BACKPACK, BUDGET for BLING, click HERE.
For more information about 360 WalkTru's, please contact:
Stanley Edwards
Platypus Digital
Mobile: +27 82 458 3356
Email: [email protected]
