Recently travelers have become more cautious about where they travel, and most rely on blogs and websites like Wikitravel to get a sense of how safe unfamiliar areas are. Now, Koreans going abroad can feel a little more at ease with Hotsgo, an app which provides important safety information based on location.
While most cities may be fine for everyday travelers, some destinations are bound to have areas that are less safe than others. It’s in these areas that tourists can stick out like a sore thumb and become even more of a target for pickpockets and scam artists.
Hotsgo keep users informed by displaying a safety rating for their location and a list of potential dangers to be aware of in areas nearby. This includes things like pickpockets and protests, but also extends to more serious dangers such as violence, diseases, and terror alerts.
The service was originally released one year ago but looked a little clunky. Hotsgo has just relaunched and given the app a facelift with a sleek and modern UI.
One new feature since its rerelease is an SOS button that instantly displays info on local emergency numbers when pressed, and also gives you the option to call the local Korean consulate and message family members for help. Locations of nearby police stations, hospitals, pharmacies and embassies can also be viewed quickly.
While it may seem all doom and gloom, Hotsgo is still a travel app and also lets users find good restaurants, shopping areas and tourist attractions in their immediate area. A list of subway maps for cities around the world and a currency converter also help make traveling easier, especially if you’re on your own. Other features include a packing list and holiday budgeting tool.
Hotsgo is currently only available in Korean and has recently increased its coverage worldwide. Previously mainly focused on Europe and Asia, the app now offers safety information for 44 countries and 90 cities around the globe.
