HomeAway, holiday home rental company, announced the launch of virtual tours in Bali. First launched in the US in November 2018, Bali is the second market outside of the US and the first market in Asia Pacific to offer virtual tours – a new proprietary product that seamlessly displays virtual tours of holiday homes on HomeAway.

This customer-centric technological innovation allows homeowners and property managers to share a 360-degree walk-through of their properties with travellers. Travellers can visualise the property prior to their stay, setting their expectations and delivering a better stay experience. It also benefits homeowners with a proven record in increasing conversion.

Available on desktop and mobile web, HomeAway’s approach to virtual tours is unique in the holiday home rental industry as the product is compatible with different types of virtual tours ranging from Do it yourself (DIY) tours filmed on personal phones and cameras to professionally captured footage from leading virtual tour companies like InsideMaps and professionals like TruPlace.

“Harnessing virtual technology for holiday homes.”

“Virtual reality has transformed the entire customer journey and experience,” said Judith Davidson, regional director for HomeAway in Asia. “HomeAway is harnessing virtual technology for holiday homes in a way that has never been done before. The digital economy has opened up incredible possibilities for small-medium enterprises and independent property owners in Asia. We have combined the brainpower and scale of HomeAway and Expedia Group to deliver even more value to our customers around the world through tools like Virtual Tours.”

The company is currently running a fully-funded and exclusive virtual tour programme for selected properties in Bali and displayed exclusively on the website. The tool is being tested for its impact to conversion for homeowners and property managers.