Going on holiday to a country you’ve never been to can be a bit daunting, especially if you’re travelling alone or with children. You want to be able to feel safe and secure at all times, and have easy access to important contacts like your embassy, petrol stations, hospitals, ATMs and public transport hubs.
The day of guide books and actual maps are long gone and the ease of having everything literally at your fingertips means that a smartphone is your best bet for the latest information. With millions of tourists visiting Malaysia annually, Tourism Malaysia has launched an app called My Tourist Assist (MyTA) aimed ensuring visitors know where to find essential services.
One of the key features of the app is the UrSafe tab, which has an SOS button that sends alerts should there be an emergency (including natural disasters in the area) and informs emergency and security services should the need arise. This function works even when the user doesn’t have internet access as an emergency signal is sent out and can be tracked by the authorities.
Another interesting feature is that users can access local and international news and information provided by Bernama, the national news agency. If you have friends and family coming to visit, be sure to tell them about the app as it not only provides peace of mind but will also make sure they know where all the essential amenities are.
The app is available for free at the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
