Mid-market hotel brand Park Inn by Radisson has revealed plans for a ‘virtual travel service’ which takes over a customer’s social channels to make it appear they are away on a trip
After booking an ‘E-scape’, customers will be able to relax at home while their social media accounts – including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat – are updated by a team of social media specialists to show airport check-ins, status updates and attendance at destination hotspots and events.
In addition, E-scapes’ designers will use photo manipulation software to produce photos of customers at their chosen destination.
At launch, Park Inn by Radisson E-scapes will offer three destinations for an ‘e-xperience’ – Berlin, Cape Town and Abu Dhabi – with prices starting from €19 and plans for expansion in 2016.
Martin Müller, director of Park Inn by Radisson E-scapes, said: “The way we live and the way we travel have been significantly changed by the role of digital platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
“The rapid rise of ‘social swaggering’ has led us to take the extraordinary step of creating a brand new travel concept, catering to the needs and wants of the customer of the future.
“With e-xperiences at three launch destinations, Park Inn by Radisson E-scapes can make customers appear interesting, cultured and more importantly, well-travelled on their social profiles – all from the comfort of their own home. Today, we’re incredibly excited to be announcing one of the most significant developments in the history of travel.”
Park Inn by Radisson Escapes’ first customer, Elisabeth Jones, said: “When I signed up to take part in Park Inn by Radisson E-scapes, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but the results were phenomenal. They took over all my social profiles, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram, and created my ‘social media holiday,” says .
“My Abu Dhabi adventure included visits to the Grand Mosque, Heritage Village, Yas Island and a sunset cruise on the Persian Gulf. It all looked so beautiful, I even started to feel as if I’d been there for real!
“Even old school friends who I hadn’t seen for years were coming out to comment on how well I looked and say they were really jealous of my amazing journey.”