Suppliers, operators and agents in the luxury travel sector have been urged to update their visual offerings to clients by embracing drone technology.
Speaking at the Connections Luxury Asia event in Beijing, mobile and communications expert Ewan MacLeod said that hotel groups such as Waldorf Astoria and Conrad are leading the way with drone video footage replacing traditional photo galleries on their hotel’s websites.
Companies believe such videos give potential guests a true picture of the hotel, enabling them to envisage their holiday or plan an event with greater accuracy, MacLeod said.
He added: “Make sure your hotel has the right video assets, not just the same old photos, some years old, in a media pack. Video footage will soon be an expectation, not a bonus, to travellers worldwide.”
Additionally, micro and nano drones such as the Zano model, crowdfunded by Kickstarter, offer a unique enhancement to outdoor and active travel experiences, as well as functions, he said.
Palm-sized and able to hover, these drones can be programmed to track a mountain biker, paraglider or a group of people from above, to record a unique memory for participants.
Kapil Berera, chief executive of Quintessentially Travels India, said: “We recently used drones to capture an outdoor wedding reception in Jaipur. The footage was quite extraordinary.
“The value-add offered by drones to both suppliers and operators is immeasurable.”
Connections Luxury Asia took place at the Nuo Beijing hotel, bringing together buyers and suppliers of luxury travel from around the world.