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Text appeal

Friday, October 09, 2009

Catherine Deshayes

We are living in the age of the text message - more than 1.2 billion messages are sent each day - so here's a useful new service that utilizes our addiction to texting - the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has funded an initiative to provide holiday information to travelers via email and texts and it can even contact them in emergencies when they are on holiday...

R U FLWNG ME? (That reads ‘Are you following me' for those non-texters amongst you).

It sounds like a good idea - all customers who book a holiday through a company that is affiliated with the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) will be able to sign up for free ‘Know before you Go' emails that offer key information on the destination that they are travelling to.

If a crisis occurs in that destination, such as the recent Samoan earthquake or the swine flu outbreak in Mexico for example, holidaymakers will receive free text messages via the ‘ABTA Travel Buddy' service alerting them to the problems and allowing their location to be pinpointed.

They will also be given essential instructions and advice on what to do next.

The text service will also send reminders about travel insurance and any recommended immunizations travelers should have before they embark on their trip.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Chris Bryant said, "This service is a great example of how we can work closely with industry partners to ensure travellers are prepared for their trips abroad.

"This will help reduce the chances of preventable problems occurring and means we can reach those who find themselves in emergency situations while travelling overseas," he added.

We are the digital generation so let's make use of it.

Picture by everystock