DFAT Launch TravelWise Smartphone App
Minister Flanagan launches TravelWise smartphone app
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Charlie Flanagan TD has launched TravelWise, the new smartphone app designed to help Irish citizens to stay safe and informed while travelling, living or working overseas.
A core part of our mission is to help ensure the safety and welfare of Irish people travelling abroad by providing accessible and relevant information. There are increasing numbers of Irish residents travelling abroad – in 2016 we will all make more than 7 million trips abroad – and increasing numbers travelling to higher risk locations.
TravelWise has been developed by the Department to provide travel advice and consular information to these citizens to keep them informed and aware.
With TravelWise, you get our user-friendly, trusted and comprehensive travel advice and consular information for 200 different countries – straight to your phone.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Flanagan said:
“I am delighted to launch TravelWise, my Department’s new free smartphone app. TravelWise will help Irish people travelling abroad to stay safe and informed while travelling, living or working overseas.
“I would encourage all Irish people travelling abroad to download and use the App; all Irish citizens currently living abroad; any citizens with an interest in travel abroad; or even mothers or fathers who have sons or daughters travelling abroad.”
How does it work?
The user can favourite any countries to which they are travelling or thinking of visiting, to get any significant security updates from the Department instantly via push notifications.
All content, once downloaded, is available offline including key emergency contact details - without the need for a data connection abroad and without incurring roaming charges.
TravelWise users have instant access to our global network of Embassies and Consulates.
TravelWise brings you our user-friendly, trusted and comprehensive travel advice straight to your phone
Any citizen travelling to a higher risk destination can register with the nearest Embassy, using the App. Registering means that in the event of an unforeseen crisis such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, the Department can proactively contact the citizen, ensure they are safe, update them on developments and provide assistance as necessary.
TravelWise provides security ratings for over 200 countries - a clear way for us to show you how safe or unsafe we believe a country may be to visit, and to help you to make informed decisions about overseas travel.
There are four colour-coded levels to our security ratings:
Normal Precautions (Green)
High Degree of Caution (Yellow)
Avoid Non-Essential Travel (Amber)
Do Not Travel (Red)
In addition to security ratings, we also provide detailed information about visas, health, safety, local laws and customs and other information we think you might find useful.
Topical Articles includes practical information on major events abroad, such as Euro 2016 or the Rio Olympics.
A “Know before you go” section provides cross-cutting information relevant to multiple travel types and destinations. This includes passport information, travel insurance information and the consular role of our embassies network.
The “My Trip” checklist is a handy tool to help travellers ensure that they are well prepared for an upcoming journey.
To download TravelWise visit the App Store or Google Play.
FAQ
The TravelWise app is free.
There is no limit to the number of countries that can be ‘favourited’ – but users must have a data connection - 3G/4G or wifi – in order to receive a push notification.
When installed and downloaded, the entire app content is available offline, and in your pocket.
Initial download 4MB. Secondary background download of global travel advice and guides 11MB.