Trafficmaster has unveiled the first ever international mobile phone travel emergency and concierge service, for the iPhone. The International Rescue application is part of the Trafficmaster Companion suite of travel services. It offers users 24/7 access to a team of travel experts located in more than 40 countries, who are on hand to help in any emergency.
At the press of a button, travellers are connected to Trafficmaster personal assistants (PAs) in the UK. The PAs have exclusive access to in-country local teams and can provide a liaison between the user, British embassies, the police, border controls and emergency services. They also provide concierge services to help find a restaurant, hotel or cash machine. Calls to the travel experts from a mobile are charged at a normal UK landline rate.
Following on from launching International Rescue on Blackberry, Symbian and Windows-based mobile phones, we are delighted to now be able to offer this on the iPhone, says Trafficmaster Chief Executive, Tony Eales. It is a fantastic service that offers peace of mind, security and local knowledge to all travellers, whether you are a business man, a family on holiday or a student on a gap year.
If you want to use the app, you have to be prepared to provide personal information such as next of kin, passport number, blood group, allergies, current medication and insurance details. This information is only used when an emergency arises, Trafficmaster says. 
The app costs 20 a month or 65 for an annual subscription. You can download it from the Apple App Store, or from the Trafficmaster website.