Property: Working a wider Angle

PHUKET: One picture is worth a thousand words. Make it a panoramic picture or a virtual tour, and it becomes even more valuable, especially in the competitive world of property sales.

Geoff Whitlie of Panoramas Thailand has proved this formula successful in Koh Samui – now he is expanding to Phuket.

Before the internet, the real estate business involved a lot more legwork: having to visit the property personally, trying to get a feeling for a place based on photographs and brochures.

But with advances in technology, you don’t even have to get up from your desk to take a walk around the house you’re thinking of buying.

“You can say that it’s the next best thing to actually being there,” says Geoff, who has been in the panoramic pictures and virtual tours business in Thailand since 2011.

“I started my Thai company in 2006, concentrating on commercial and wedding photography on Koh Samui. However, the Samui market was soon flooded with many photographers operating with the large resorts, who offer full-package weddings. So, in 2011, I decided to concentrate my efforts on more technical photography and the spherical panorama field was of great interest to me,” he explains.

His 19 years of experience in visuals and photography from his home country of Canada set Geoff on the right track and helped him to learn and become proficient at creating professional virtual tours. He believes that it’s his background in photography that sets his company apart in the Thai market.

“I pride myself on the quality and innovative features that I provide. I do all aspects of the work from planning and shooting to the final layout. This way I am assured that quality control is kept to the highest standard,” he says.

Another important factor in a world of ever-changing technologies is to stay up to date with what’s happening, Geoff says.

“With the creation of HTML5 replacing flash and video, a tour must satisfy the requirements of many mobile devices, phones, tablets and still have HD quality for PC and Mac users,” explains Geoff.

With its customer base mostly made of luxury villas and resorts looking for a bit of “wow” factor in their communications, Panoramas Thailand grew steadily on the resort island of Koh Samui for almost 10 years. But while the business in Samui is doing great, Geoff is looking for a change of lifestyle, something that Phuket will be able to provide.

“I’ve been on Samui for 10 years now and looking for a change of scenery and new challenges. I like Phuket as there is so much more lifestyle to offer,” he explains.

With years of experience behind his belt, Geoff hopes his move to the bigger island will be an easy one. Especially as – according to him – the market isn’t that much different here.

“I’m not sure there is much difference in the markets other than the size, but one thing that did surprise me in Phuket, is how quickly things can be accomplished here. What would take a few days on Samui, I was able to do in a leisurely afternoon with an additional expanse of variety,” explains Geoff.

“Plus the electricity and internet always work on Phuket.”

For more information, visit panoramas-thailand.com and virtual-tours.photography.com.

— Maciek Klimowicz