Here is some fun with Google Earth. We very simply used the Vianet API at work to show all of the registered New Zealand Accommodation Operators (2500+) in Google Earth.

http://blog.vianet.travel/news-and-events/product-news/vianet-in-google-earth

You can pan around, zoom in and click on the flags to get balloons of info. You can even book your accommodation.

Just some fun I thought I would share. If you are interested in finding out more about Vianet and their really cool tools you should.