MTR: Google Liberates Google Maps

PRESS RELEASE

Sydney, 21 August 2014

MTR: Google Liberates Google Maps

MyTravelResearch.com hails boost for tourism marketers as anyone can now place the red pins on Google Maps

In a new move announced by Google, anybody can now add tourism businesses and places of interest as pins and markers on Google Maps.

Previously, you needed 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

MyTravelResearch.com, an independent tourism research company, says that 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," says Bronwyn White, co-founder of MyTravelResearch.com. "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."

Google still runs an internal verification process that ensures markers and pins are legitimate. Currently that process takes about a week before the pin or marker with the accompanying information and links to Google+ reviews goes live.

White says the move is significant because Google predicts that by the end of 2014 more searches will be done on mobile devices than on desktops.

If your town has a large number of red pins and markers showing hotels, restaurants, museums, attractions and activity centres, it means people will be more likely to stay and spend if they're passing through.

"Businesses need to realize that Google Maps are an increasingly useful sign post on the path to purchase," says White.

Google started with Australia but will roll out the freedom to add red pins and markers to other countries soon.

MyTravelResearch.com has created a video showing how to place a business or a place of interest on Google Maps. Visit http://www.slideshare.net/MyTravelResearch/how-to-add-a-business-to-google-maps

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About MyTravelResearch.com
MyTravelResearch.com is a market research and marketing firm specializing in the travel, tourism and aviation industries. Its specialty is providing insights that are actionable.

Founded by principals with lifetime careers in travel, tourism and aviation, MyTravelResearch.com exists to build the visitor economy and successful tourism businesses. It does this by putting the voice of the customer and best practice business thinking into an easy to implement, hands-on approach via an innovative membership model. MyTravelResearch.com can help:

* National Tourism Organizations (NTOs) meet the expectations of their industry by acting as an extension of their research and marketing resources
* Businesses make more informed decisions. (It is like having your own research and/or marketing team)

ENDS

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