Tourism Boards Still Aren’t Sold on 360-Degree Destination Videos
Photo Credit: Many tourism boards are still learning how travelers want to watch 360-degree videos. Pictured is a still from Visit Idaho's "Adrenaline Rush" 360-degree video. Visit Idaho
Skift Take
360-degree videos have been a draw for many destination marketers and consumers are equally eager to watch them. But the who, what, where, when, why and how for watching such videos are still in test-and-learn mode.
Whether it's in a Facebook newsfeed or on a trade show floor, 360-degree videos have been increasing in numbers over the past two years. Tourism boards and convention bureaus see potential in these videos, but are still learning how to best present them to travelers.
Since YouTube and Facebook began letting users upload 360-degree videos in 2015, with Facebook adding such videos on mobile last year, brands have more channels to push 360-videos to travelers for trip-planning and inspiration.
Still, some brands aren't convinced that travelers have enough understanding of how to view 360-videos on their own and are experimenting with virtual reality headsets to showcase these videos at consumer and travel industry events.
That's the view of Gathan Borden, vice president of marketing at VisitLex, the visitor and convention bureau for Lexington, Kentucky, which released its first 360-degree marketing video on YouTube in March. Borden feels that watching 360-degree videos on desktop
