A mobile app that’s popular with Bermuda tourists is trying to help local businesses struggling in this tough economic climate.Go Explore Bermuda, one of the first and most popular Bermuda-related apps, is offering restaurants, shops and other businesses free advertising for the rest of the year.The app, which is free and available for iPhones, iPads and Android phones and tablets, allows Bermuda tourists and visitors quickly figure out where they are, what to do and how to get there. The app uses Google maps and GPS navigation to guide users to their destination and points out store, restaurants and sites along the way.Now, local businesses can get the word out to tourists with free advertising space in the app’s ‘deals’ and ‘events’ sections.The makers of the app, Ultra Concepts Group, Ltd. said with Bermuda experiencing a recession that will likely claim more businesses before the year is out, they just wanted to do what they could to help.“The reason we are offering the free advertising is very simple. With the current economy and the challenges facing local business, we all need to work together for the common good of all,” said Michael Brangman, marketing and business development manager for the Ultra Concepts Group, Ltd (UCG).Mr Brangman says while Bermuda businesses are trying to draw tourist in, tourists are trying to save a buck. He said the ultimate goal is to help them both weather the current economic climate.“Our visitors are not immune to the effects of this recession especially as many of them come from our primary US market. We feel this act on our part will go a long way to meeting our visitors need for savings while at the same time encouraging them to spend when in Bermuda,” Mr Brangman said. “It’s a win for visitors and local business.”The Go Explore Bermuda app was voted Best Local Mobile App for 2011 by Bermuda Tech Week and has been used tens of thousands of times to access information about Bermuda’s businesses, history activities and culture.Go Explore hopes local businesses will see the benefit of increasing their visibility through technology and says the application can also provide statistical information that lets you know how effective your advertising dollars are.The free advertising offer is good at least through the end of the year.“We haven’t decided definitively if the free advertising will stop or continue in the new year. Depending on the results and feedback from those who partake of the offer and the economic climate at that time, we will reassess the situation and make a decision,” Mr Brangman said.Businesses interested in this free advertising opportunity should call or e-mail Michael Brangman, marketing and business development manager for UCG.