Method and system for providing travel services

Abstract

A method and system for providing travel services are disclosed. The method and system include a database of travel information from which information can be selectively obtained based on the traveler's circumstances. The method and system also include a system for providing counseling services and an emergency kit containing food, water and other supplies. A mobile communications device is also provided to enable the traveler to transmit his or her location in order to initiate the dispatch of a rescue services provider to transport the traveler to a location of greater safety.

1 . A method for providing travel services to a traveler traveling to a geographic location, comprising: 
 a. providing said traveler with a mobile phone, said mobile phone including a button configured to transmit said geographic location of said traveler upon depression of said button;    b. providing a database of travel information, said travel information pertaining to at least said geographic location, said database of travel information including weather information, traffic information, road construction information, terrorism information, suggested safety tip information, legal information and suggested vaccinations for the geographic location;    c. automatically retrieving from said database weather information, traffic information, road construction information, terrorism information, suggested safety tip information, legal information and suggested vaccinations for said geographic location; and    d. wherein in response to a depression of said button of said mobile phone, a rescue service provider is dispatched to said geographic location of said traveler, whereupon said traveler is transported by said rescue service provider from said geographic location to a location of greater safety.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing counseling services, wherein said providing counseling services comprises automatically retrieving information regarding said traveler's circumstances and geographic location, selecting information from said database based on said traveler's circumstances and geographic location and providing said selected information to said traveler.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing an internet web site, wherein said web site is configured to receive information concerning said traveler's circumstances and geographic location, and wherein said web site is operatively coupled to said database of travel information and configured to display said travel information.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said service providers provide services including transportation services, banking services, lodging services, medical services, and dental services.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said database is operatively coupled to a computer network.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said website is configured to provide said traveler with access to said database of travel information.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a voice mail system adapted to record and store messages provided by said traveler and further adapted to play back said messages, said voice mail system being accessible by calling a voice mail system telephone number.  
     
     
         8 . A method for providing travel services using a computer network, comprising: 
 a. providing a computer network;    b. providing a database of travel information operatively coupled to said computer network, said database including identification information for one or more service providers, and further comprising weather information, traffic information, road construction information, terrorism information, suggested safety tip information, legal information, and suggested vaccinations; and    c. providing said traveler with a means for automatically retrieving information pertaining to said traveler's circumstances and geographic location from said database, wherein said information pertaining to said traveler's circumstances and geographic location includes weather information, traffic information, road construction information, terrorism information, suggested safety tip information, legal information and suggested vaccinations.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said service providers provide services including transportation services, lodging services, banking services, medical services, and dental services.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said transportation services comprise rental car services, railroad services, rescue services, airline services, bus services, taxi services, automotive repair services, and towing services.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said means for selectively accessing information comprises a computer terminal operatively coupled to said database.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said means for selectively accessing information comprises an internet website operatively coupled to said database.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said means for selectively accessing information comprises a system of providing counseling services, wherein said providing counseling services comprises receiving information regarding said traveler's circumstances and geographic location, selecting information from said database based on said traveler's circumstances and geographic location and providing said selected information to said traveler.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising providing a telephone number, wherein said traveler accesses said counseling services by calling said telephone number.  
     
     
         15 . A system for providing travel services using a computer network, comprising: 
 a. a computer network;    b. a database of travel information operatively coupled to said computer network, said database including identification information for one or more service providers, and further comprising weather information, traffic information, road construction information, terrorism information, suggested safety tip information, legal information, and suggested vaccinations; and    c. a means for automatically retrieving information pertaining to a traveler's geographic location from said database, wherein said means is operatively coupled to said computer network, and wherein said information pertaining to said traveler's geographic location includes weather information, traffic information, road construction information, terrorism information, suggested safety tip information, legal information and suggested vaccinations.    
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said service providers provide services including transportation services, banking services, lodging services, medical services, and dental services.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said means for selectively accessing information comprises a computer terminal operatively coupled to said database.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said means for selectively accessing information comprises a system of providing counseling services, wherein said providing counseling services comprises receiving information regarding said traveler's circumstances and geographic location, selecting information from said database based on said traveler's circumstances and geographic location and providing said selected information to said traveler.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising a telephone number, wherein said traveler accesses said counseling services by calling said telephone number.  
     
     
         20 . A system for providing travel services to a traveler traveling to a geographic location, comprising: 
 a. a mobile phone including a button configured to transmit said geographic location of said traveler upon depression of said button;    b. a database of travel information, said travel information pertaining to at least said geographic location, said database of travel information including weather information, traffic information, road construction information, terrorism information, suggested safety tip information, legal information and suggested vaccinations for the geographic location;    c. wherein said traveler can automatically retrieve from said database weather information, traffic information, road construction information, terrorism information, suggested safety tip information, legal information and suggested vaccinations for said geographic location; and    d. wherein in response to a depression of said button of said mobile phone, a rescue service provider is dispatched to said geographic location of said traveler, whereupon said traveler is transported by said rescue service provider from said geographic location to a location of greater safety.    
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising a system for providing counseling services, wherein said providing counseling services comprises receiving information regarding said traveler's circumstances and geographic location, automatically retrieving from said database based on said traveler's circumstances and geographic location and providing said selected information to said traveler.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising a password assigned to said traveler, wherein prior to said transporting of said traveler by said rescue service provider, said traveler provides said password to said rescue service provider.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising a computer network, wherein said database is operatively coupled to said computer network.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein said database is operatively coupled to a computer terminal adapted to display said travel information from said database.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising a voice mail system adapted to record and store messages provided by said traveler and further adapted to play back said messages, said voice mail system being accessible by calling a voice mail system telephone number.