INTRODUCTION:
On this blog we’ve so far looked at different aspects of responsible travel: from choosing experiences that support local communities, to respecting cultural traditions, to making decisions that reduce our environmental footprint.
These conversations usually focus on how our actions affect the places and people we visit. But there’s another side to travel that deserves attention too: our own safety as travelers.
Travel can be unpredictable. Political situations change, natural disasters happen, and even small mishaps like losing documents can derail a trip. Safety might not always be framed as part of responsible travel, but it deserves a place in the conversation.
Thinking ahead about safety isn’t about travelling in fear. It’s about being prepared.
To dig deeper into this perspective, I spoke with Blagoja Maso, founder of the Travel Smart app. In our conversation, he explained how the app was created, what it offers, and why safety is best seen not as an afterthought, but as an integral part of how we travel today.
Note: The following responses may have been edited for brevity while preserving their original intent.
SAFETY WHILE TRAVELING: INTERVIEW WITH SMART TRAVEL APP FOUNDER BLAGOJA MASO
1) ABOUT THE TRAVEL SMART APP
Can you tell us a little about the Travel Smart app and its core mission?
The core mission of Travel Smart App is all about helping travellers stay safe while making the most of their journey.
Travel Smart App provides real-time safety alerts and information on dangerous areas while offering essential travel tools like local emergency click to call buttons.
Besides the safety features, Travel Smart also provides useful cultural information, must-dos, and tools such as a currency converter and tipping calculator, so people can explore the world with confidence, respect local cultures, and reduce risks, giving them more time to enjoy their travels without unnecessary worry.
2) THE ORIGINS OF TRAVEL SMART
Can you briefly introduce yourself and your role within the Travel Smart App?
I am Blagoja Maso and the brains and director behind Travel Smart App, I also run a digital consultancy in Australia called Strike Media.
What drew you to build an app specifically focused on traveler safety and information? Was there something specific that made you choose this idea?
Actually, during my time at an Australian corporation, a colleague of mine, a female traveller was preparing for a solo trip to Japan. I thought to myself, surely there must be an app that helps improve safety for solo female travellers.
After doing some research, I realised there was a gap in the market. That was the original catalyst for Travel Smart!
How do you see safety and preparedness as a part of responsible travel?
In today’s world, safety and preparedness go hand in hand—anything less would be irresponsible. Responsible travel isn’t just about protecting yourself; it’s about respecting local cultures, making informed decisions, and reducing risks for both travellers and communities.
3) KEY FEATURES OF THE TRAVEL SMART APP
What are the key features of the Travel Smart App, and how do these features help travelers stay informed before and during their trip?
The key features of the Travel Smart App are designed to keep travelers safe and informed both before and during their trip. These include:
Real-Time Safety Alerts: Providing up-to-date information about potential risks or emergencies in the area you’re travelling to, such as natural disasters, political unrest, or health outbreaks.
Local Emergency Contacts: Easy access to local emergency numbers and resources, including embassies and consulates, ensuring help is just a tap away if needed.
Cultural Insights: Helping travellers respect local customs and practices, with useful tips on everything from dress codes to dining etiquette.
Essential Travel Tools: Currency converters, tipping calculators, and language support tools that help make travel smoother and less stressful.
Customised Risk Assessments: Providing country-specific safety and risk assessments tailored to each user’s destination, so they can make more informed decisions.
What makes the Travel Smart App stand out from its competitors?
Some other apps require you to purchase their insurance to gain access to information and alerts. Travel Smart does not.
We prioritize traveller privacy with no sign in and are the only app on the market for this.
Additionally, we offer specialised TGuard 24/7 coverage, a unique feature that no other app provides.
Are there any lesser-known or under-utilized features of the app you think travelers often overlook?
There is a nifty document manager that allows you to link any documents on your phone into the app, essentially you can place all your travels docs in one place for easy access on the go.
Things like hotel bookings, flights, passport, visas, rentals can all be viewed from one place that saves you heaps of time.
Do you have an insider tip you can share for getting the best out of using the Travel Smart App?
Yes, set your destination location before your travels and if you signup for the paid service you will receive any relevant safety info which may impact your travels ahead of time.
Are there any countries or users for whom the Travel Smart App is not available?
Travel Smart is available in all countries and have information on all countries world wide, however users only from the US, UK, Australia and Canada will be able to call their national embassies through the app.
How do you ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided by the app, especially when dealing with rapidly evolving situations?
We vet all of our information and process government, media and organisational data.
4) REAL WORLD IMPACT STORIES
Can you share an example of how the Travel Smart App has helped travelers avoid unsafe situations or make better decisions?
We have a few interesting stories, from a traveller calling the fire services in Macedonia through the app to save a burning house, to informing stranded Australian citizens about emergency government flights out of Lebanon during the Isreali attacks and airport closures.
In that case a user of Travel Smart had cancer and was stuck in the country, we where able to connect her to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade extraction flight out of the country.
How do you measure the success of the Travel Smart App in terms of enhancing travelers’ safety and preparedness? Do you have any statistics or user feedback that show its effectiveness?
While we can’t disclose specific statistics, our success is reflected in the trust and recognition we’ve received. The Travel Smart App has been recommended by the Slovenian government and Olympic Committee, as well as featured in media without any paid promotion—reinforcing its value to travellers.
User feedback consistently highlights how the app helps them navigate emergencies, avoid risks, and stay informed, proving its effectiveness in real-world situations.
About Blagoja Maso
Blagoja Maso is the founder of Travel Smart, a mobile app that provides travellers with real-time safety alerts, local emergency resources, and practical tools to support safer and more informed journeys.
Travel Smart is available to download on both iOS and Android, making it accessible to travellers across the globe.
The app can be used in all countries worldwide, offering essential tools and insights designed to help people travel with greater confidence and peace of mind.
It follows a freemium model, giving users access to a wide range of features at no cost, with the option to upgrade for $4.90 USD/month.
The subscription unlocks advanced capabilities, including real-time safety monitoring and instant alerts, so users can stay ahead of potential risks while travelling.
