ILANDGUIDE to Bring Tourism to a new Level

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Sunday, 07 October 2012 02:30

By Eef Armstrong

ANTIGUA, St.John’s- Getting around Antigua & Barbuda as a tourist just became a whole lot easier. With the arrival of iLandGuide Worldwide, “The Holiday Specialist  App” on your smart phone, no corner of this island will be left unknown.

Michelle George, regional sales director for iLandGuide, sheds some light on the free app that is downloadable from iTunes or Googleplay.

” iLandGuide works offline and gives you instant access to points of interest all over the twin islands from  beaches to historical landmarks, restaurants, services like banks or post office, medical facilities and car rentals to name a few.

The GPS system will navigate the user with a detailed map,” she explains. “Events like carnival or sailing week are at the tip of your finger as are activities like zip lining, cooking classes and cricket.”

Statistics show that more than seventy percent of tourists use smart phones and about 15 % download apps before travelling. Those who didn’t will meet marketing campaigns upon arriving at the airport in Antigua. The free Wi-fi in the arrivals lounge will allow them to download iLandGuide while waiting for their luggage.

George points out that if Antigua wants to remain competitive in regards to tourism it’s important to embrace the technology that is used by tourists nowadays. She wants visitors to have an enriched as possible experience of the island and iLandGuide does just that. ( www.iLandguide.com)

iLandGuide Worldwide is the brainchild of a young  energetic entrepreneur by the name of Andrew Perenyi. He is an award winning marketing/advertising executive from Hungary who came up with the idea for the app while traveling in Thailand.

“ I found myself in relatively undeveloped places and wanted to experience the country as a traveler and not just a tourist but getting information about great  points of interest, events or local establishments was difficult”, Perenyi explains.



After launching iLandGuide in Thailand he set his eyes on the Caribbean and started to offer opportunities for Franchises online. Barbados is already on board and so are Antigua and St. Martin and more islands are to follow.

Perenyi put George through a month long intense training program and also prepared her for the role of  Caribbean Franchise Coordinator for iLandGuide Worldwide.

George is quick to point out that the smartphone app is not only of use for tourist but locals will love it too. As owner of Island Roots Trading she is always on the road and has become a walking information booth for friends when they want to go out and want to know what’s happening.

“With iLandGuide locals can access any information about any activity, event or promotion at any time on their phone,” she says smiling.



“That’s another reason why local businesses should sign up as locals like to know where the action is. I believe it will increase their business and the best thing is that by an online administration system businesses can update their information as often as they want. I am aware that there are other travel apps out there but most of them don’t work offline, advertisers can’t self administrate, they aren’t free and many times they don’t hold current information and only carry generic information. That’s what sets iLandGuide apart of others”, she adds.

The company offers three advertising packages; A base package which includes a single photograph of choice, contact information, GPS coordinates and a small business description. A premium package which consists of  five photographs, contact information, GSP coordinates, large description and searchable tags. The third package includes all that the premium has plus three post of promotions and events a week. The advertisements are self administered and you can update or change things as often as you wish.

Two more branding opportunities are available on iLandGuide Worldwide. A premium ad that appears every time the app starts up and then there is a main sponsor opportunity which is an unique splash screen  that is the face of the app.



iLandGuides goal is to be a well known brand and the most used travel application in the top 50 vacation spots in the world in the next 3 years. “We want to become a local smartphone version of Google for each destination,” says Perenyi.

George will hold a presentation of the app at the ICT Fest that takes place November 13th to 15th . Those interested in starting a franchise in the Caribbean or those who want to advertise with iLandGuide can contact Michelle George @ (268) 720-3000 or   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details.

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