NASSAU, Bahamas – The Bahamas government says it is supporting a project being undertaken by World Travel in 360, a leading specialist in 360-degree tourism promotion to intended to capture more than two million geolocated images for showcasing the country on Google Maps.
Tourism Minister Chester Cooper“We are excited to collaborate with World Travel in 360 and smooth a path for Google Street View to immortalize our islands with 360-degree imagery on Google Maps,” said Tourism, Investments and Aviation Minister, Chester Cooper.
“Access and engagement are bedrock principles of tourism success. This project will make it easy for travelers from around the world to size up the beauty and wonders of The Bahamas from wherever they are,” said Cooper, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister.
The project is being undertaken in collaboration with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation and will result in several street view-equipped vehicles with mounted camera systems roaming roadways throughout the islands to capture more than two million geolocated 360-degree images for showcasing the country on Google Maps.
The Bahamas Street View Coverage for Google Maps is proposed to capture imagery of more than 3,729 miles of key tourist areas throughout the country’s more than 700 islands, including 16 major islands whose towns, beaches and other attractions are visited by millions of in-coming travelers.
Tourism officials here said that with the imagery capture, The Bahamas will join more than 100 countries and territories currently featured, in whole or in part, on the Street View function of Google Maps, which enables users to explore settings around the world via 360-degree images.
They said the function is among the most popular features of applications on Google Maps, enabling users to effortlessly plan visits, observe attractions, pinpoint restaurants and hotels, and more using the convenience of technologies including mobile devices, tablets, and computers.
They added that Street View is not for vacation planning alone, but benefits of imagery captured ranges from support for urban planning and emergency response, to historical preservation and environmental conservation.
“In today’s digital landscape, immersive experiences are key to attracting travelers,” said Latia Duncombe, Director General of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation.
“This Google Street View initiative is a game-changer for Bahamian tourism. By bringing our islands to life on Google Maps, we’re not just showcasing our beauty, we’re making The Bahamas more accessible than ever before.
“Potential visitors can explore our diverse offerings virtually in the palm of their hands, igniting their desire to visit and experience the authentic wonder of our islands firsthand. This initiative also presents a tremendous opportunity for local businesses—restaurants, hotels, and attractions—by increasing their visibility to a global audience and making it easier for travelers to discover and support them before they even arrive,” she added.
