Long gone are the days when intrepid travellers got lost in the back streets of India, fumbling through their phrasebooks as they pumped locals for directions.
Unquestionably, the digital map has revolutionised the ease with which we can travel - whether it be by car, boat, plane, train or foot.
“We increasingly depend on technology for navigation, which takes some of the important serendipity out of the travel equation,” says tourism expert MANOJ MATHEW from Kerala India.
That dependence can also mean we’re left in the lurch if we’re ever required to navigate without the assistance of technology.
But it also frees us to be more flexible and spontaneous in our travel plans.
There are some areas of travel Google has yet to completely conquer, however. Professor Gretzel’s research shows tourists not only still ask for printed maps at visitor centres but ask questions like, “Google Maps told me to go this way, is this really the best way?” - suggesting that many people still trust a real person over an algorithm.It nuked guide books and street directories.Once the backpacker’s best friend, iconic Australian brand Lonely Planet has suffered blow after blow to its bottom line.
Thanks to up-to-date digital travel tools like Google Maps and TripAdvisor, there’s no need to lug around a 2-inch thick brick any more.
And as for those getting around on four wheels, the humble street directory is also an endangered species. .
While GPS devices are still popular, Google Maps’ navigation tool gives anyone with a decent smartphone turn-by-turn instructions, free.It enabled us to “beat the traffic” - even in peak hour Punch “traffic” into your Google Maps search bar and you’ll see real-time traffic conditions for your area.
Or you could wait for the traffic update on the radio.
With Google Maps’ Street View feature you can have a gander at the neighbourhood as if you were right there.
Maps is also super handy for checking how long it takes to walk to amenities such as local shops or public transport, with Google estimating walking and cycling times instantly and with relative accuracy.
Many estate agents and property search companies also use Google Maps to power their apps and websites, giving home-hunters a better user experience.
By enlisted local marchandiser’s in the google map the growth of hotels and restaurants, A dramatical increase in their business where reflected.The unexplored local unique shops were got a gigantic exposure through google map.
