Tuesday 17 January 2012

One of the Island’s first smartphone ‘app’ is fast becoming a popular way of showing tourists the best of Bermuda.


One of the Island’s first smartphone ‘app’ is fast becoming a popular way of showing tourists the best of Bermuda.

Since the Go Explore Bermuda app for iPhones and Android devices was launched in May, it has been used more than 15,000 times to access local events, businesses, discounts and bus and ferry schedules.

The free app, developed by Ultra Concepts Group (UCG), includes video and audio tours, photos and GPS navigation for tourists to explore and learn about Bermuda’s history and culture. The app also features Google maps, allowing users to follow directions to their destination as they are walking.

“The numbers are encouraging,” said Michael Brangman, marketing & business development manager. “Our statistics indicate that many tourists are downloading the application prior to coming to the Island. This proves that the application is being used in the pre-planning phase.”

Mr Brangman expects continued success in 2012.

“We looking to at least double or triple our numbers, particularly as the tourist season begins in April through October,” he said, adding that his company is promoting the app in tourist focused magazines, on bus handles, on banner stands and informational booths at the cruise piers in Hamilton and Dockyard and on livery cycles. The company is also in talks with hotels to include information in their welcome packets.

With the application’s newly found popularity, Mr Brangman is now looking to attract advertisers to sign up with the technology.

“In this tough economic climate, businesses must continue their marketing efforts using mediums that are cost effective yet able to connect with their intended audience,” said Mr Brangman. “Everyone travels with their phones, and Go Explore’s leading edge technology places your company’s information literally in the hands of customers.”
Go Explore app proves a hit with the tourists

http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20120112/BUSINESS/701129918

The application and all of its content is downloadable in the latest version of Go Explore, released on November 5 of last year. This, says Mr Brangman “eliminates fears of roaming charges” when tourists are using the app in Bermuda.

Go Explore picked up the Technology Innovation Award for the ‘Best Local Mobile Application’ at the annual Tech Awards 2011 last October and UCG launched Go Explore Saint Lucia in November.

The Go Explore app is available on the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Android smartphones and tablet devices.

Wednesday 11 January 2012

Go Explore Bermuda demonstrates its value as a viable advertising medium!

Go Explore Bermuda demonstrates its value as a viable advertising medium!

CONTACT: Michael Brangman, Marketing & Business Development Manager for the Ultra Concepts Group 1.441.293.2455 michaelb@ucgbusiness.com

Go Explore Bermuda the free mobile application available on both Android and Apple devices has recorded over 15,000 active sessions from its soft launch in May 13th 2011 to date.

Go Explore allows visitors access to local events, businesses, discounts and general information such as bus and ferry schedules. Additionally, with video and audio tours, photos and GPS navigation they can explore and learn about Bermuda's rich history and culture. Visitors can reliving the experience that led Mark Twain to make his now famous quote, "You can go to heaven if you want. I'd rather stay in Bermuda. With the integration of Google maps, easy to follow directions guide users to their destination in the shortest time possible.

Go Explore Bermuda was voted BEST mobile application in 2011 by the Bermuda Tech Week.
Michael Brangman, Marketing & Business Development Manager says that the numbers are encouraging. Our statistics indicate that many tourist are down loading the application prior to coming to the island. This proves that the application is being used in the pre-planning phase. Many visitors contact us via Facebook or Twitter seeking information on what to do and were to go. Go Explore has proven itself to be a viable advertising medium, linking the well connected traveler with vendors in the tourism market. Mr. Brangman went on to say that 2012 is predicted to be a great year for Go Explore as we expect the numbers of downloads to continue increasing throughout the year.

Mr. Brangman continued to say that in this tough economic climate, businesses must continue their marketing efforts using mediums that are cost effective yet able to connect with their intended audience. Everyone travels with their phones, and with Go Explores leading edge technology, places your company's information literally in the hands of customers.

Our latest version of Go Explore, released on November 5th, 2011, eliminates the fears of roaming charges as the application and all its content is 100% downloadable.

Go Explore has also entered into strategic partnerships with tourism vendors and stake holders and will be making further announcements in this regards at a later date.

In addition, Ultra Concepts Group Ltd. the parent company of Go Explore has also launched Go Explore Saint Lucia.

Go Explore Saint Lucia has been endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation as well as the Saint Lucia Tourism Board and has been accepted as the official mobile app for Saint Lucia.
Go Explore Discover with Go Explore Bermuda.

Advertising opportunities are available with Go Explore Bermuda. Visit our website www.GoExploreBermuda.com

Download Go Explore Bermuda from the iTunes App Store:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/go-explore-bermuda/id436137358?mt=8

Download Go Explore Bermuda from the Android App Store:
 https://market.android.com/details?id=com.barz.tourguide.gebermuda

Application Images:
 



Wednesday 30 November 2011

Bermuda Travel Guide Phone Application


tech-award-logo

  • Exciting attractions and tours right across the island
  • GPS in the phone leads you right to where you want to go
  • Top attractions in Bermuda, including parks, historical, cultural and theme venues
  • Hotels, restaurants and clubs
  • Public transportation pick-up and information: bus and ferry schedules
  • Easily locate emergency resources
  • Find out what’s happening, where to go, what to do at the touch of the button
  • Information is available anytime & anywhere via 3G network or Wi-Fi!

Easy to follow directions guide you to your destination in the shortest possible time for an enhanced visitor experience. The FREE “Go Explore Bermuda” mobile phone application acts as one’s own personal interactive tour guide. 


Thursday 3 November 2011

Bermudian creates tourist app for St Lucia | Royalgazett


Tourists can now “Go Explore” St Lucia - with the help of Bermuda.
Bermudian-owned company Ultra Concepts Group has teamed up with Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Tourism to provide the official mobile guide for Saint Lucian visitors called Go Explore Saint Lucia.
UCG is the company behind the Go Explore Bermuda app for iPhones and Android devices to locate the best attractions, restaurants, hotels and beaches around the Island.
It won the Technology Innovation Award for the Best Local Mobile Application at Bermuda’s annual Tech Awards 2011.
UCG sales & development manager Michael Brangman said the Go Explore Saint Lucia is a free mobile phone application that helps tourists navigate around Saint Lucia and is “poised to revolutionise the visitor experience in Saint Lucia”.
He said the company planned on expanding Go Explore to other countries in the Caribbean.
UCG’s Saint Lucia marketing manager Donna Louis said the app will suit today’s “well-connected traveller”.
“By providing the ability to navigate more easily and safely in an unfamiliar environment and to look for services and sites of interest this application has proven its potential by providing value to tourism,” she said.
She added the app can be used “to level the playing field somewhat in that small and medium sized businesses with small budgets can be accessed by tourist just as easily as those companies with big advertising budgets...Most importantly, Go Explore Saint Lucia has created jobs for Saint Lucians and as such provides the total package focusing on both tourism development and increasing employment.”
UCG said another important feature is the generation of statistics.
“Go Explore is able to provide businesses with information such as how many people are using the app, how many have viewed their listing and even their location when accessing the app,” UCG said. “With such a robust application, Go Explore is an excellent way for businesses to target their customers. Businesses are able to tailor their marketing programmes specifically to their target markets ensuring their budgets are well spent.”
UCG is headed by Dr Kyjuan H Brown, and Hilgrove Gordan and has offices in Devonshire and St Lucia.
Watch St Lucia’s announcement at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCPSZ3Yu95I&feature=youtu.be

Bermuda’s UCG Launches New St. Lucian App

Bermuda’s Ultra Concepts Group of Companies Ltd. [UCG] has teamed up with Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and Tourist Board to provide the official mobile guide for Saint Lucian visitors called “Go Explore Saint Lucia.”

Go Explore Saint Lucia” is a free location-based, multimedia, mobile phone application that helps tourists navigate around Saint Lucia.
UCG Saint Lucia’s marketing and business development manager M. Donna Louis said the “Go Explore Saint Lucia” is beneficial to tourism by taking into consideration the demands of the well-connected traveler thereby providing an enhanced tourist experience.
By providing the ability to navigate more easily and safely in an unfamiliar environment and to look for services and sites of interest this application has proven its potential by providing value to tourism. This in effect will stimulate the economy as Go Explore Saint Lucia can be utilized to improve accessibility, information and service provision.
Ms Louis goes on to say that it can therefore clearly be used to level the playing field somewhat in that small and medium sized businesses with small budgets can be accessed by tourist just as easily as those companies with big advertising budgets. All one needs is a presence on the application.
Most importantly, she added, “Go Explore Saint Lucia” has created jobs for Saint Lucians and as such provides the total package focusing on both tourism development and increasing employment.
Apart from the multimedia integration and point to point direction, another important feature is the generation of statistics, said Ms Lewis. “Go Explore …” is able to provide businesses with information such as how many people are using the app, how many have viewed their listing and even their location when accessing the app.

Recipe for success? There's an app for that | Go Explore Bermuda | Best Mobile Application


WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31: You are probably more familiar with the Ultra Concepts Group of Companies than you think.
If you have used Cheapskate Bermuda website to print a money-saving coupon, you have used an UCG company.
If you have downloaded the Go Explore Tourism app for your mobile device, you have used a company in the UCG family.
It would be easy to drive past the building UCG is nestled in along North Shore and not notice they are there, but the company is pushing ahead when others in this economy are retreating.
Located across the parking lot from SeaView Fitness Centre, UCG has eight employees.
Its umbrella companies include: New Atlantic Media, Cheapskate Bermuda, Go Explore Bermuda, UCG Business, Ideal Solutions, Go Explore St Lucia.
Alex Dill, project coordinator for New-Atlantic Media, said the location, is still close to Hamilton and has space for customers to park.
Mr Dill said: “It’s funny, but it’s quicker and easier for people to come here than travel across town.”
Michael Brangman, business development associate, said the companies under the UCG umbrella can handle a variety of business.
“One of the main things UCG business does, is we manage other companies. We manage their payrolls, their call centres, we can do their marketing. We can do all the departments that are in a large organization for a small company, that they can’t really have.
“As a result we can save them up to 50 per cent, if they had to go and do this themselves.”
The company has garnered attention this year with the launch of its Go Explore Bermuda app.
It held many meetings and parties with the Department of Tourism, St George’s and WEDCO to help get the word out.
Mr Brangman said: “We’ve met with all the major tourism players and they love the application.”
Go Explore Bermuda is mobile app that lists tourist attractions and businesses.
Mr Brangman said both “tourists and locals alike can download for free and allows them to navigate the island. This is a revolutionary concept, which really hasn’t been used in Bermuda. It’s used all over North America and the rest of the world, so why not bring it to Bermuda so we can bring it to our guests?
“We believe it will become an integral part of promoting the island that aren’t really visible to tourists, but with this application they can find out about them, learn how to get there and patronize them.
“Everyone benefits ultimately.

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“This is also great for expats when they first come to the island and this will help them get around and allow them to get adjusted to island.
Mr Brangman said while the app is free UCG makes money by allowing businesses to be put into the information database on the app.
“They can have a photo or a video or audio for their business. They can put their phone number, which can be dialled directly through the application. There are Twitter and Facebook links as well, which is done directly through the business.”
He said part of the appeal of the apps for businesses is if they want to have a special or they need to change their information, it can be done in five to 10 minutes and be visible to people using the Go Explore Bermuda app.
Cheapskate Bermuda is one of a handful of websites in Bermuda including bermuda.com/deals and bermydeals.bm, that are reaching out to customers for retailers.

Go Explore launches new Bermuda app | Royalgazette

Bermuda-based Go Explore has announced the launch of a new iPhone and Android mobile application to locate the best attractions, restaurants, hotels and beaches around the Island.
The free Go Explore Bermuda app, which was developed and built by BarZ Adventures Inc, is a location based multimedia electronic tour guide system compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Droid Smartphone operating systems.
“This new generation of tourists expect information to be available on-demand and in the palm of their hand,” said Michael Brangman, sales and development manager for Ultra Concepts Group (UCG), of which Go Explore is part. “This is the first of its kind to enter the market and we believe it will significantly contribute to the economic well being of Bermudian businesses while enhancing Bermuda’s tourism product.”
Visitors can access local events, discounts and general information such as bus and ferry schedules. Additionally, they can explore Bermuda with video and audio tours, photos, and GPS navigation. Meanwhile easy to follow directions guide users to their destination in the quickest time.
For more information visit the Go Explore website at www.GoExploreBermuda.com