VFM Leonardo released some very interesting statistics about consumer behavior in terms of hotel visual content viewing across their network.

Consumers want to experience hotels through rich visual content, specifically video that engages, informs and inspires at every stage of the shopping process across a wide range of online websites.

1. Millions of travel shoppers view hotel media online each month

VFM Leonardo's library consists of over 1 million media items. Approximately 2 million unique travel shoppers view media in the VPowered Multi-Media Viewer which displays hotel photos, 360 degree virtual tours and videos  each month. The average shopper visits the viewer page just over 2 times per month and views more than 10 media items per visit.

2. Travel shoppers view hotel visuals on a variety of sites

Based on the number of times travel consumers launch the VPowered Multi-Media Viewer, the most popular channel is trusted travel review site, TripAdvisor, followed by popular online travel agency, Travelocity, and ARES Travel Network which includes a wide array of travel and destination related websites.

1. TripAdvisor
2. Travelocity.com
3. ARES Travel Network
4. Cheapostay
5. EzRez Software
6. Orbitz
7. Priceline
8. Frommers
9. AOL Travel
10. Hotel Reservation Service – HRS
11. Flight Centre
12. Galileo
13. Yahoo! Travel
14. World Choice Travel
15. Kayak.com
16. American Express
17. Concur Travel
18. Google
19. Yahoo! Travel Guides
20. Intellistrand

3. Number of hotel media views continues to rise year over year

In 2010, hotel visual content (photos, virtual tours and video) was viewed 175 million times across the VNetwork, which represents approximately 50% growth from 2009. VFM Leonardo has seen an average of 53% annual growth in visual content views since 2004.

4. Travel consumers are sharing hotel visuals with their networks

The recent addition of social media sharing widgets to the VPowered Multi-Media Viewer indicates a growing desire for consumers to share visual experiences. Consumers are doing more than viewing hotel visuals; they're also sharing them with their social networks through Facebook, Twitter, Email, etc.
 
5. More hotel marketers are syndicating rich media and getting results

The number of hotels using VBrochure Ultra Premium to syndicate rich media increased 60% in 2010. Many are seeing increased bookings as a result.
 
Natalie Orr, Director of Sales & Marketing at the Courtyard Miami Beach Oceanfront told VFM Leonardo that "Video syndication has significantly increased visitors to our website and booking conversion has also increased since we joined forces."

Story Kirshman, Marketing Manager at The BROADMOOR Hotel, said: "We have seen a 25% increase of online bookings this summer compared to last summer before we had VBrochure."