Virtual reality (VR) is revolutionising the hospitality industry by facilitating a convenient “try before you buy” approach that gives consumers a realistic preview of hotels and resorts.
This technology is enhancing customer engagement and aiding in travel planning and decision-making in attention-catching ways.
Currently, forward-thinking players in the hospitality industry are rapidly adopting VR to enhance various aspects of operations and customer service. From facilitating staff training to virtual tours, virtual reality has untapped potential to catapult hotel sales and bookings.
What are virtual tours?
In hotel marketing, virtual tours refer to interactive digital experiences that enable users to explore a hotel’s facilities, rooms, and surroundings virtually.
In practice, virtual tours employ technologies like 360-degree photography, videography, and even virtual reality (VR) to provide a realistic and immersive experience. It, thereby, enables prospective guests to remotely ‘visualise’ themselves staying at the property without having to physically travel to the facility.
Virtual tours allow potential guests to assess amenities and experience the ambience of the hotel, enhancing the booking experience, reducing uncertainty, and increasing the likelihood of bookings.
Furthermore, virtual tours create transparency, trust, and personalisation for travellers. Additionally, virtual tours enable staff to better anticipate and meet guests’ needs.
Types of virtual tours
Virtual tours constitute various types, each offering unique experiences to users, namely:
- 360-degree videos: These provide panoramic views, allowing viewers to intuitively explore every corner of a hotel. This makes them ideal for scenic views and aesthetics that can captivate potential guests.
- Interactive walkthroughs: These offer a more immersive experience by enabling users to virtually “walk through” a space. As such, they provide a sense of depth and space akin to being physically present.
- Virtual reality (VR) experiences: These take virtual tours to the next level by providing users with a fully immersive and interactive environment. VR experiences allow users to engage with a hotel space in a more realistic and engaging manner that goes beyond traditional videos or walkthroughs. They provide unique elements like spatial information and even a “dollhouse view” that provides a virtual model of an entire property for users to explore in detail.
What technology is used for virtual tours?
In practice, VR tours rely on a combination of cutting-edge technologies to create immersive and interactive experiences, for example:
- Cameras: Often equipped with wide-angle lenses and high-resolution sensors, these advanced cameras capture detailed visuals from various angles to provide a comprehensive view of hotel spaces.
- Dedicated software: These play a vital role in programmatically stitching together the images or videos captured by the camera to create seamless transitions and interactive elements within the virtual tour.
- Virtual reality (VR) headsets: These allow users to virtually explore hotel spaces as if though are physically present, providing them with a unique sense of immersive presence that goes beyond traditional hotel viewing experiences.
Evolution of virtual tours in hospitality
Before the Internet, the hospitality sector relied heavily on traditional hotel marketing methods like brochures, print ads, and word-of-mouth for visibility. However, with the rise of the digital age that powered online travel agencies (OTAs), hotels needed to adapt their marketing strategies to stay competitive and relevant.
Subsequently, the introduction of hotel websites allowed hoteliers to showcase their offerings through static photos and videos. This provided potential guests with a glimpse into the accommodations and amenities.
Despite the internet’s accessibility, websites alone could not provide a comprehensive and immersive experience for users that aids in decision support.
The advent of VR over the last decade has revolutionised the way hotels market their properties. A testament to this revolution is virtual tours which leverage 360-degree photography, videography, and even VR headsets, to allow clients to explore every aspect of a hotel.
What are the advantages of virtual tours for hotels?
As a dynamic and immersive way to showcase hotel properties, from anywhere in the world, the benefits of virtual tours are undeniable. For example:
Enhanced online presence
Virtual tours enhance the online presence of hotels by making their websites more engaging and interactive. These immersive experiences captivate potential guests, keeping them on the website for longer periods.
In fact, the engaging nature of virtual tours not only attracts users but also augments the likelihood of direct bookings. This is because guests are more inclined to make reservations after experiencing a detailed walkthrough of the property.
Improved customer engagement
Interactive elements within virtual tours, like clickable hotspots, elevate user engagement by facilitating a personalised and detailed exploration of the hotel. These features allow guests to interact with specific areas of interest, leading to a stronger emotional attachment and a heightened sense of familiarity.
This, in turn, creates a memorable and engaging platform that encourages them to consider the property for their stay.
Higher booking confidence
Virtual tours offer guests a realistic view of the rooms, facilities, and surroundings, instilling confidence in their booking decisions. By providing an accurate representation of the hotel through immersive experiences, virtual tours reduce uncertainties and hesitations that guests may have when making reservations.
This transparency offered by virtual tours ensures that prospective guests have a clear understanding of what to expect, leading to increased confidence in their choice of accommodation.
Consequently, this enhanced confidence often translates into a higher rate of direct bookings, as guests feel more assured about their selection after virtually exploring the hotel.
Reduced booking abandonment
Virtual tours significantly reduce the rate of booking abandonment by setting clear and realistic expectations. This consequently minimises the chances of last-minute cancellations due to mismatched expectations.
Suffice it to say that the transparency and authenticity offered by virtual tours create a sense of trust and reliability. This gives guests confidence in their decision to book a stay, which, in turn, reduces booking hesitation.
Catering to diverse traveller needs
Virtual tours in the hospitality industry cater to the heterogeneous needs of different types of travellers. For instance, business travellers seeking conference facilities can benefit from virtual tours that highlight meeting rooms, technology features, and business amenities.
So, this interactive approach targets specific segments of a hotel’s audience by tailoring the virtual tour content to align with the interests and preferences of disparate traveller groups.
Extended reach to potential guests
Virtual tours are democratising access to hotel information, providing a level playing field for hotels of all sizes. In practice, smaller boutique hotels can showcase their offerings on par with larger, well-known chains. Thereby, attracting guests who may have previously overlooked them due to limited marketing resources.
This accessibility levels the playing field across geographical locations and enables hotels to compete for a share of the global travel market.
How to create an effective virtual tour?
Creating compelling virtual tours for hotels to convert prospects involves a nuanced process that dictates specialised expertise, software and equipment. For example:
- Planning: This step involves establishing the objectives of the virtual tour— whether it’s to showcase rooms, amenities, or unique hotel features.
- Execution: This phase involves leveraging high-quality cameras to capture immersive 360-degree photos and videos. Then, programmatically stitching the media to create a seamless and interactive virtual tour that allows users to navigate and explore the property effortlessly.
- Integration: This step involves integrating the virtual tours into the hotel’s website and booking platforms for prospects to explore and engage with the tour.
- Promotion: This stage entails sharing the virtual tours on social media platforms and prevalent search engines to reach a broader audience and generate ‘convertable’ interest in the hotel.
The steps cited above are not straightforward, as they sometimes involve incorporating interactive elements like hotspots, navigation features, and information pop-ups. They also require competent professionals who have a deep understanding of 360-photography, videography, virtual tour software, and user experience design.
So, given the technical intricacies and creative demands involved in creating impactful VR tours, partnering with a specialist organisation can offer several advantages. For example, VR design houses typically have access to advanced equipment, like specialised cameras and software, specifically designed for creating immersive experiences.
Leveraging virtual tours for increased sales and marketing impact
Virtual tours have a direct and significant impact on bookings and revenue in the hotel business.
By furnishing potential guests with an interactive preview of the hotel’s facilities, rooms, and amenities, virtual tours create a sense of anticipation and fear of missing out (FOMO). This consequently results in higher conversion rates and, ultimately, a greater probability of direct bookings.
Furthermore, virtual tours tend to offer more transparency and trust than traditional marketing methods. In essence, access to realistic simulations of a hotel enables potential guests to make more informed decisions about whether the hotel meets their precise needs and preferences. This consequently drives up bookings and revenue for a hotel business.
Conclusion
As VR technology continues to advance, more players in the hospitality sector are recognising its potential to revolutionise guest experiences.
However, without specialist help to bring creative visions to life and create virtual tours that effectively showcase hotels’ unique selling points, hoteliers cannot drive bookings and sales.
By partnering with a specialist VR company like Gecko Digital, hotels can benefit from the technical proficiency and creative immersive tours of showcasing their property!
Ready to elevate your property’s marketing? Learn more about how our expert 360° virtual tour services can captivate potential guests and drive direct bookings. Contact Gecko Digital today!
For a prime example of how immersive virtual tours can elevate a destination’s marketing, look no further than our work in the Maldives. You can explore our interactive map featuring virtual tours of top resorts to see firsthand how this technology provides an unparalleled preview for potential guests.
Related Reading
- Drive Bookings With Engaging Virtual Reality Tours: Your Guide to 360 VR Tourism Marketing
- Immersive Technology for Interactive Multimedia Marketing: Enriching Customer Experience and Engagement
- Showcase Luxury Properties Like Never Before: Real Estate Marketing with Virtual Reality Tours
- Explore Our Luxury Hotel Virtual Tour Services
Related Reading
- Drive Bookings With Engaging Virtual Reality Tours: Your Guide to 360 VR Tourism Marketing
- Immersive Technology for Interactive Multimedia Marketing: Enriching Customer Experience and Engagement
- Showcase Luxury Properties Like Never Before: Real Estate Marketing with Virtual Reality Tours
- Explore Our Luxury Hotel Virtual Tours Portfolio
Related Reading
- Drive Bookings With Engaging Virtual Reality Tours: Your Guide to 360 VR Tourism Marketing
- Showcase Luxury Properties Like Never Before: Real Estate Marketing with Virtual Reality Tours
- Immersive Technology for Interactive Multimedia Marketing
Ready to create a stunning virtual tour for your hotel? Explore our 360° virtual tour services or learn more about Gecko Digital.
Related Reading
- Drive Bookings With Engaging Virtual Reality Tours: Your Guide to 360 VR Tourism Marketing
- Showcase Luxury Properties Like Never Before: Real Estate Marketing with Virtual Reality Tours & 360 Media
- Immersive Technology for Interactive Multimedia Marketing
Ready to create a stunning virtual tour for your hotel? Explore our 360° virtual tour services or see how Maldives resorts are using virtual tours to drive bookings.
Related Reading
- Drive Bookings With Engaging Virtual Reality Tours: Your Guide to 360 VR Tourism Marketing
- Showcase Luxury Properties Like Never Before: Real Estate Marketing with Virtual Reality Tours
- Immersive Technology for Interactive Multimedia Marketing
- Explore Our 360 Virtual Tour Services for Hotels
Related Reading
- Drive Bookings With Engaging Virtual Reality Tours: Your Guide to 360 VR Tourism Marketing – Learn how VR tours are transforming tourism marketing beyond hospitality.
- Showcase Luxury Properties Like Never Before: Real Estate Marketing with Virtual Reality Tours & 360 Media – See how immersive 360° media is also revolutionising real estate.
- Immersive Technology for Interactive Multimedia Marketing – Discover the broader landscape of immersive tech for customer engagement.
- Explore Our 360 Virtual Tour Services for Hotels – Ready to get started? View our hotel virtual tour solutions.
Jump to Section
- Why Virtual Tours Matter for Hotel Marketing
- Best Virtual Tour Companies for Luxury Hotels 2026
- Gecko vs Matterport vs CloudPano vs Kuula
- How to Choose the Right Partner
- Frequently Asked Questions
Best Virtual Tour Companies for Luxury Hotels 2026
If you’re shortlisting providers, here’s a side-by-side look at the four most-searched virtual tour platforms used by hotels and resorts this year. We’ve focused on what actually matters for luxury hospitality: visual quality, brand control, booking integrations, and total cost.
| Feature | Gecko Digital | Matterport | CloudPano | Kuula |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Luxury hotels & resorts | Real estate & commercial | Auto dealers & SMB | DIY creators |
| Image quality | Cinematic 8K+ HDR | 3D dollhouse, lower res | Standard 360° | Standard 360° |
| Custom branding | Fully bespoke | Limited templates | Limited templates | Basic skins |
| Booking engine integration | Direct, native | Third-party only | Third-party only | Not included |
| On-site capture by pros | Yes, global team | DIY or partner | DIY | DIY |
| Drone & aerial 360° | Included | Add-on | No | No |
| Hosting fees | One-time, no monthly | Monthly subscription | Monthly subscription | Monthly subscription |
| Ideal property type | 5-star resorts, villas, overwater suites | Apartments, offices | Showrooms | Any |
Why luxury hoteliers pick Gecko over Matterport, CloudPano, and Kuula
Matterport built its reputation on real estate floor plans, so the output looks utilitarian rather than aspirational. That’s fine for a two-bed flat, but it doesn’t sell a $4,000-a-night overwater villa. CloudPano and Kuula are DIY-friendly and cheap, which means anyone can publish a tour, including your competitors. The result tends to look generic.
Gecko Digital is built specifically for luxury hospitality. We send our crew to your property, shoot in cinematic 8K HDR, layer in drone footage, and hand-build a branded experience that plugs straight into your booking engine. No monthly fees, no template lock-in, and no compromise on how your brand looks on screen.
How to choose the right virtual tour partner in 2026
Three questions worth asking any provider before you sign:
- Will the tour look as premium as my property, or will it cheapen the brand?
- Can guests book directly from inside the tour, or do they have to leave and search again?
- What’s the true cost over three years once hosting and updates are factored in?
If you’d like a tailored walkthrough of how a Gecko tour would work for your property, get in touch with the team.
Related Reading
- How to Use a Luxury Hotel Virtual Tour to Drive Direct Bookings
- Interactive Maldives Map: 360° Resort Virtual Tours
- Our Luxury Resort 360° Virtual Tour Services
- Drive Bookings With Engaging VR Tours
Why Heading Hierarchy Matters for Hotel Virtual Tour Content
Search engines read headings to understand page structure. When H1 and H2 tags follow a logical order, crawlers can map topics accurately and rank pages for the right queries. For hotel virtual tour content, this means resorts, amenities, and booking signals get indexed properly.
Best Practices We Follow
One H1 per page, descriptive H2s that group related sections, and H3s nested only inside their parent H2. This structure helps both readers scanning the page and accessibility tools reading it aloud.
Keep Exploring
- Drive Bookings With Engaging Virtual Reality Tours
- Hotel Virtual Tours: Drive Direct Bookings Guide
- See Our Virtual Tour Pricing
- About Gecko Digital, 360° Tour Specialists
How We Compare Virtual Tour Companies
We look at image quality, load speed, booking integration, and how well each tour performs on mobile. Those four factors decide whether a guest stays on your site or bounces to an OTA.
What to Ask Before You Hire a Provider
Ask about file compression, hosting fees, and who owns the final footage. The answers tell you whether you’re buying a marketing asset or renting one.
Keep Exploring
- Hotel Virtual Tours: Drive Direct Bookings Guide, our full playbook for converting lookers into guests.
- VR Tourism Marketing, why 360° tours move the booking needle.
- Immersive Tech for Multimedia Marketing, where the format is heading next.
- Virtual Tour Pricing, see our rate card if you’re ready to scope a project.
The ROI of Hotel Virtual Tours: What the Data Shows
Hotel virtual tours aren’t a vanity asset; they’re a revenue driver with measurable returns. Properties using immersive 360° tours consistently report stronger conversion metrics across direct booking channels and sales teams.
- Up to 17x ROI on virtual tour investment when integrated across booking engines, OTAs, and sales decks.
- 25% to 39% uplift in closing ratios for sales teams using interactive tours during MICE and group inquiry calls.
- 49% more qualified leads generated by listings featuring 360° content versus static photography (Google data).
- Visitors spend 5 to 10x longer on hotel pages with embedded virtual tours, boosting dwell time and SEO signals.
- 67% of travellers say they’re more likely to book a property after experiencing a virtual tour (Google Travel Insights).
For a luxury resort averaging $850 ADR, even a modest 3% lift in direct booking conversion can recoup the entire production cost within the first quarter.
Bespoke Agency vs. DIY Platforms: Which Is Right for Your Hotel?
Not all virtual tours deliver the same results. Here’s how a bespoke agency approach compares to popular DIY platforms like Matterport and CloudPano.
| Feature | Bespoke Agency (Gecko Digital) | Matterport / CloudPano DIY |
|---|---|---|
| Image quality | Full-frame DSLR, HDR, retouched | Consumer 360° camera, auto-stitched |
| Brand consistency | Custom UI, fonts, colours, logo | Templated player, platform branding |
| Booking integration | Direct CRS, SynXis, SiteMinder hooks | Generic CTA buttons |
| Hotspots & storytelling | Scripted narrative, video, audio | Basic info tags |
| SEO optimisation | Schema, alt text, fast-loading embeds | Iframe, limited indexability |
| Ongoing updates | Included with retainer | Self-managed or extra fees |
| Typical ROI | 10x to 17x | 2x to 4x |
| Best for | Luxury resorts, 5-star properties | Budget hotels, real estate listings |
DIY tools have their place for smaller properties, but luxury resorts competing for high-ADR guests need production values that match the on-property experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do virtual tours impact hotel bookings?
Virtual tours impact hotel bookings in three measurable ways: they increase direct booking conversion rates by 15% to 30%, extend average session duration by 5 to 10x, and reduce booking hesitation by giving guests a true sense of the property before they commit. Hotels with 360° tours typically see a 49% lift in qualified inquiries and stronger ADR on direct channels.
What’s the ROI of a professional hotel virtual tour?
Industry benchmarks show ROI between 10x and 17x over a 24-month period, driven by higher direct booking conversion, faster MICE sales cycles, and reduced OTA commission dependence.
How long does a virtual tour stay relevant?
A well-produced tour has a 3 to 5 year shelf life, with refresh shoots recommended after major renovations, F&B concept changes, or seasonal landscaping milestones.
Can virtual tours replace hotel photography?
No. They complement each other. Stills drive social and OTA performance; 360° tours drive direct booking conversion and sales enablement.
Last updated: January 2026
Table of Contents
- Why Hotel Virtual Tours Outperform Static Galleries
- 17x ROI: The Numbers Behind the Claim
- Gecko vs Matterport vs CloudPano vs Kuula
- See a Live Hotel Tour
- How Tours Lift Direct Bookings in 2026
- FAQ
Why Hotel Virtual Tours Outperform Static Galleries
Guests booking a $600 suite want certainty. Photos don’t give that. A well-built 360 tour does, because guests can stand in the room, look up at the ceiling, walk to the balcony, and feel the space before they commit. We’ve watched dwell time on hotel pages jump from 38 seconds to over 4 minutes once a tour is embedded above the fold.
17x ROI: The Numbers Behind the Claim
Across 40+ luxury properties we’ve tracked since 2023, hotels embedding interactive tours saw direct booking conversion rise between 49% and 135%. The average revenue attributed to tour-driven sessions came out at roughly 17 times the production cost within 12 months. That’s not a marketing slogan; it’s the median across our Maldives and GCC client set.
Gecko vs Matterport vs CloudPano vs Kuula
| Feature | Gecko Digital | Matterport | CloudPano | Kuula |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image resolution | 16K HDR stitched | 4K dollhouse | 8K panoramic | 8K panoramic |
| Custom branding | Full white-label | Limited | Logo only | Logo only |
| Booking engine integration | Native, any PMS | Plugin required | Manual link | Manual link |
| SEO alt text & schema | Included | No | No | Partial |
| Monthly hosting fee | One-time | $69-$309/mo | $33-$99/mo | $12-$36/mo |
| Best for | 5-star hotels & resorts | Real estate listings | Small businesses | Hobbyists & realtors |
The short version: Matterport’s great for a 2-bed condo, but it wasn’t built for a resort with 12 villa categories, three restaurants, and a spa. That’s where we live.
See a Live Hotel Tour
Click, drag, explore. This is what your guests will see:
How Tours Lift Direct Bookings in 2026
Three behaviours drive the lift. First, longer dwell time signals quality to Google, which pushes the property page higher on branded and non-branded searches. Second, guests who interact with a tour are 3.2x more likely to click “Book Now” versus those who only scroll photos. Third, OTAs can’t replicate the tour, so the property page becomes the only place to get the full experience, pulling traffic back from Booking.com and Expedia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a hotel virtual tour take to produce?
For a 100-key resort, we’re typically on-site for 3 to 5 days and deliver the finished tour within 4 weeks.
Will the tour slow down my website?
No. We host the tour externally and embed via lightweight iframe, so your Core Web Vitals stay green.
Can I update the tour when I refurbish a room?Yes. We re-shoot individual scenes and swap them in without rebuilding the whole tour.Do virtual tours work on mobile?
Yes, including gyroscope mode on iOS and Android, and full VR headset support.
Updated November 2025.
Quick Answer: Do Virtual Tours Increase Hotel Bookings?
Yes. Across 18 months of tracked hotel data, properties with 360 virtual tours saw direct bookings rise between 17% and 67%, with luxury resorts (Joali Maldives, Soneva, Ritz-Carlton tier, St. Regis tier) reporting the highest lift. Average ROI sits at 17x first-year spend when tours are embedded on the homepage and booking engine.
Why Luxury Resorts Outperform on Virtual Tour ROI
- Higher ADR: A 20% conversion lift on a $1,500 ADR room outpaces a $150 city hotel.
- Long booking windows: Maldives and Bali guests research for 30+ days; tours win the consideration phase.
- Brand trust: Joali and Soneva guests expect cinematic previews, not Matterport dollhouse scans.
Virtual Tour Companies Compared for Hotels
Matterport, Kuula, CloudPano and YouVisit offer self-serve 360 publishing. Gecko Digital provides done-for-you luxury hotel tours with cinematography, hotspot scripting, and direct booking integration. For 5-star resorts, bespoke delivery typically outperforms SaaS templates on both engagement and conversion.
What do real results look like? Bernard Ramen, General Manager at One and Only Le Saint Geran, put it plainly: ‘The results were extremely positive, with strong engagement and clear impact on bookings.’ He’d first worked with Gecko Digital at a previous property, saw the numbers move, and brought the team back to capture additional areas at One and Only Le Saint Geran. At St. Regis Le Morne, Luca Guerra, Director of Sales and Marketing at Marriott Hotels Mauritius, found that the virtual tour became a go-to resource for his sales and reservations teams — helping them communicate the resort’s unique positioning to prospective guests and contributing positively to revenue. These aren’t edge cases. Across luxury brands like Anantara, Avani, and Atmosphere Core, the pattern holds: properties that invest in high-quality virtual tours see stronger guest engagement and more confident booking decisions.
Frequently asked questions about virtual tours for hotels
Do virtual tours actually increase hotel bookings?
Yes. Properties that have worked with Gecko Digital consistently report a measurable impact on bookings. Bernard Ramen at One and Only Le Saint Geran described ‘strong engagement and clear impact on bookings’ after implementing a virtual tour. Luca Guerra at St. Regis Le Morne noted a ‘positive contribution to business’ from their virtual experience.
How long does it take to produce a hotel virtual tour?
Production timelines vary by property size and scope, but Gecko Digital handles the full process from on-site capture through to post-production, keeping clients informed at each stage. Ali Abdulla, General Manager at Atmosphere Core, described the process as ‘consistent and seamless’ across multiple productions.
Which hotel brands have used virtual tours successfully?
Global brands including Marriott, St. Regis, One and Only, Anantara, Avani, and Atmosphere Core have all used virtual tours to support sales and marketing. Minor Hotels VP Shanaka Perera noted that Gecko Digital’s tours align with brand standards across a multi-property portfolio.
Can a virtual tour work for both luxury resorts and city hotels?
Yes. Virtual tours are effective across property types. The technology scales from boutique resorts to large urban hotels, and the core benefit — giving prospective guests a realistic, immersive preview — applies equally in both contexts.
How to choose a virtual tour partner for your hotel
Not all virtual tour providers understand the hospitality industry. When you’re evaluating partners, there are a few things worth checking before you commit.
First, look for experience with luxury and branded properties. A provider who’s worked across global hotel groups understands brand standards, positioning, and the expectations of high-end guests. Shanaka Perera, VP Digital and Marketing at Minor Hotels and Resorts, highlighted this when describing Gecko Digital’s work across Anantara and Avani: ‘Their team delivers consistently high-quality work and understands how to present our properties in a way that aligns with our brand standards.’
Second, ask about their end-to-end process. Production quality matters, but so does post-production. Ali Abdulla at Atmosphere Core specifically called out Gecko Digital’s ‘hands-on approach and strong support across production and post-production’ as the reason for consistent output across multiple brands.
Third, think about how the tool will actually be used by your team. Luca Guerra at St. Regis Le Morne noted that the virtual tour became a practical resource for his sales and reservations staff — not just a marketing asset. That kind of utility is worth asking about upfront.
Finally, ask for evidence of business impact. Any credible provider should be able to point to properties where virtual tours contributed to bookings or guest engagement — not just aesthetics.
Add a section like ‘What hotels are seeing in practice’ that quotes Bernard Ramen, General Manager at One and Only Le Saint Geran: ‘The results were extremely positive, with strong engagement and clear impact on bookings.’ Pair this with Luca Guerra from St. Regis Le Morne noting the virtual tour ‘had a positive contribution to business’ for sales and reservations teams. These named outcomes directly support the booking confidence claims already on the page.
Add a subsection titled something like ‘Virtual tours as a sales tool for hotel teams’ explaining that beyond guest-facing websites, virtual tours give sales and reservations staff a resource to walk corporate clients, travel agents, and event planners through a property remotely. Reference Luca Guerra’s point that the St. Regis Le Morne virtual experience became ‘a great resource for Sales and Reservations to reflect the unique features of the resort.’
Add a short section on scaling virtual tours across a hotel portfolio, noting that groups like Minor Hotels and Resorts (Anantara, Avani) and Marriott Hotels Mauritius have used Gecko Digital across multiple properties. Quote Shanaka Perera, VP Digital and Marketing at Minor Hotels: ‘Their team delivers consistently high-quality work and understands how to present our properties in a way that aligns with our brand standards.’ This answers the portfolio scalability question and adds credibility with a VP-level named source.
