The Illinois Office of Tourism is helping travelers find their way around via an iPhone application that serves as a resource tool.

The app is the company?s first mobile extension of the tourism information center. It is available for free download through Apple?s App Store.

?The app is a resource for travelers to have access to information about Illinois at their fingertips that they wouldn?t have elsewhere,? said Jan Kostner, deputy director at the Illinois Office of Tourism, Chicago.

?Tourism is a big industry for Illinois and the app is a way to draw people into the state,? she said.

The Illinois Office of Tourism worked with advertising agency JWT Chicago and mobile agency SIM Partners on the app.

Small attractions
The Enjoy Illinois app lets users track down places they would not necessarily know about in Illinois while on the road.

?Illinois is obviously known for all the Lincoln landmarks and sites, but the state also has a ton of great attractions that many tourists wouldn?t know by simply driving down the highway,? Ms. Kostner said.

Small wineries and restaurants are examples of the more than 10,000 places and events users can find on the app.

Consumers can search by nearby attractions, interest, region or most popular functions on the app.

Travelers can also create trips and share via Facebook, Twitter or email.

?We have found that people are more willing to spend more if they visit a tourist center while traveling,? Ms. Kostner said.

?When we saw a growing number of people using mobile devices, we wanted to help them narrow down their choices when visiting the state with little pieces of information,? she said.

Local deals
The app also taps into consumers looking for deals.

?If there is a deal or discount being offered at an attraction, hotel or restaurant, that deal will be flagged during the search results process, ?said Erin Clark, group management director at JWT Chicago, Chicago.

The Enjoy Illinois app is a logical extension of the state?s tourism office because mobile is the one of the key ways travelers get information while traveling.

?It is about giving people access to information when and where they need and want it, and to help people get the most out of our great state,? Ms. Clark said.

Final Take
Lauren Johnson is editorial assistant on Mobile Marketer, New York