Practo – Uber forms worldwide partnership to bring first class healthcare services to customers

Practo, Asia’s largest healthcare booking platform, and Uber, the world’s leading ride-hailing technology platform have announced a global partnership that will make it easier for consumers to reach doctors.

Starting today, Practo users across Philippines, Indonesia, India and Singapore who book an appointment on Practo’s award-winning app will be able to see the closest Uber available when they get a reminder alert for their appointments. Users can then click the reminder notification and complete the booking process. New users who book their first appointment on the Practo app can use the promotion code UBERPRACTOMNL to avail two free rides, up to PHP 300 per ride, with Uber. This offer is valid till 31st December 2015.

In addition to viewing the estimated fare and how long it will take for the Uber to arrive, the driver’s app will be prefilled with the final destination’s address at the very beginning of the trip. On requesting an Uber, the user’s final destination will be autofilled on the driver’s app once the trip starts, making the entire experience seamless. The next phase of integration will involve notifying the user to request for an Uber, an hour prior to the appointment.

The partnership today is in four markets – India, Indonesia, Philippines and Singapore and will soon expand to cover more countries as Practo and Uber continue their global expansion at a rapid pace.

“We work relentlessly towards providing a simplified healthcare experience that reduces consumer stress and anxiety at every level. We realized that transportation issues often bring additional stress to a doctor’s visit – having to drive through traffic, then hunt for parking – all while you or your loved one is sitting in the car feeling ill is a terrible experience. There are also many patients who may not be able to drive themselves to a doctor at all. Our goal with this partnership is to completely remove this anxiety by integrating with Uber’s incredible experience and bringing that to our consumers.” said Shashank ND, Founder & CEO, Practo

“At Uber, our mission is to bring safe, convenient and reliable rides at the push of a button to everyone, everywhere. We are delighted to partner with Practo to provide people with convenient access to quality healthcare services. The technology integration through this partnership reflects our common commitment to create seamless experience for all our users," said Mike Brown, Regional General Manager, Southeast Asia and Australia, New Zealand.

Experience New Zealand and its scenic vistas

Promo fares to top New Zealand destinations offered in trade fair

Auckland

It’s Middle Earth to some, and home of the fascinating Maori culture to many.  There is no better time to visit New Zealand than now, as the Experience New Zealand trade fair kicks off with promo package offerings from Singapore Airlines, Destinations Unlimited and 11 participating travel agencies.

Experience New Zealand will be held from June 20-22, 2014 at the Glorietta Activity Center, Palm Drive.  The trade fair features sales and exhibits of the country’s food and wine products, as well as tour packages covering Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, North Island, South Island and sites such as the Hobbiton movie set and the Lord of the Rings Edoras location.

“This presents a great opportunity for Filipinos to explore the vast attractions New Zealand has in store. Whether it’s the stunning scenery, adventure tourism, the great wine and food, or even the Lord of the Rings locations, there is something for everyone,” said New Zealand Ambassador Reuben Levermore.

H.E. Ambassador Reuben Levermore, Ambassador of New Zealand to the Philippines, New Zealand Embassy

With its top visitors from Australia, China, US, UK and Japan, New Zealand will soon be part of the Filipino’s travel wish-list.  The abundance of sights and experiences is now within reach.    

  Tours range from four-day, three-night packages to seven-day, six night packages, including roundtrip airfares via Singapore Airlines.  Packages start at only $1,071 upwards, providing every kind of adventure for every kind of traveller.

Nature lovers will embrace the scenic vistas from a tour of Auckland, the “City of Sails.”  The beautiful Christchurch city is revealed on tours given on a classic double-decker bus.  The spectacular Milford Sound, dubbed as the 8th Wonder of the World, is enjoyed via a boat cruise to see waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife.  In Rotorua, visit the Waimangu Thermal Valley, considered the newest geothermal system in the world. 

 The valley houses Frying Pan Lake and Inferno Crater.  At the Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour, take a boat ride through caves illuminated by thousands of glowworms.

In Queenstown, visitors can choose a number of optional adventures such as river jet boat tours, a helicopter scenic flight with alpine landing, the bungee jump, skydiving, guided nature walks, 4WD tours or a winery tour of Central Otago.

No visit would be complete without a deep appreciation of Maori culture at Te Puia, a living Maori arts and culture center located in Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley. 

 Te Puia is home to 500 natural geothermal wonders, such as geysers and mud pools.  The center also features native flora and fauna, live kiwi birds and unique Maori arts and architecture.  It houses the National Carving and Weaving Schools of New Zealand which preserves the traditional arts.  In the evening, visitors enjoy a feast of food and friendship with a cultural performance and a banquet of modern and traditional cuisine.

For diehard Lord of the Rings fans, tour options include a visit to the Hobbiton set and Edoras location.  Some 37 hobbit holes, the mill, double arch bridge, Bilbo’s party tree, Bag End and the Green Dragon Inn are included in the Hobbiton tour.

From Christchurch, fans can also journey to Edoras via a 4WD ride.  The trip brings visitors to the beautiful Mt. Potts high country station to see where the set of Edoras, home of the Riders of Rohan was built.

 Aside from an informative and entertaining commentary, enjoy a short guided walk, champagne picnic lunch and handle movie replicas of swords, Gandalf’s staff and the flag of Rohan.

Sightseeing, adventure travel, food and wine, cultural appreciation, indulging movie fandom and just basking in New Zealand’s breathtaking scenery are the many choices available to travellers. 

Visitors to the Experience New Zealand fair can inquire from SIA Holidays (753-5151), Rakso Travel (812-9667), Travel Specialist Ventures (928-7487), Trends Travelmart (478-5401), Interlink (524-0016), Allpoints Travel (410-1527), Swire Travel (817-1082), Citimiles Travel (523-2881), Corporate International Travel (631-6541), The Marvels of Travel (842-7548), Best Wing Travel (Cavite) (425-4203) and Ecozone Travel (Pampanga) (045-887-0332).

Shoppers Get to Experience New Zealand for Three Days

Experience New Zealand at Glorietta with Singapore Airlines

 The New Zealand Embassy, in collaboration with Singapore Airlines and Ayala Malls, recently launched a mall-wide promotion, giving shoppers a chance to experience the beautiful and scenic sights of New Zealand. The promo will run from May 23 to June 22, 2014, leading up to the exciting three-day Experience New Zealand Fair from June 20 to 22 at the Glorietta Activity Center, Palm Drive. The fair offers mall-goers a taste of the finest food and beverages New Zealand has to offer, as well as the best deals en route to this picturesque destination.

To join the promo, shoppers may simply purchase a Singapore Airlines return air ticket to either Auckland, Christchurch or both, plus a P2,000.00 single and/or accumulated worth of receipts from any Glorietta 1 to 5, The Link and/or 6750 merchants. Raffle tickets may be claimed at the concierge at the Glorietta Activity Center, Palm Drive upon presenting the aforementioned requirements. Two lucky winners will stand the chance to win an ‘Experience New Zealand’ tour package for 5 or 6 days to Auckland, New Zealand, inclusive of a Singapore Airlines return ticket from Manila, Cebu, Davao or Kalibo, accommodations and tours. Tickets can be purchased from www.singaporeair.com, SQ Mobile App, Singapore Airlines/SilkAir Ticket and Reservations Offices, and travel agents. Ayala Mall’s AMORE and VIPinoy card holders, as well as Singapore Airlines’ Krisflyer members may also double up their chances of winning by simply presenting their membership cards along with the proof of purchase to increase their raffle coupons.

Participating travel agents are also offering tour packages to New Zealand starting from USD 1,197.00 per person, for a minimum of 2 persons travelling together. Shoppers availing of the tour packages are also entitled to join the raffle promo. For more information, you may contact the following agents: RAKSO Air Travel and Tours, Inc at 812-9667 (Makati)/ 353-4809 (Manila) or email at support@raksotravel.com; Travel Specialist Ventures at 928-7487/373-1449/9210580 or email atrowena.coloma@travelspecialist.ph ; Trends Travelmart at 478-5401/478-5654 or email at marissa@trendstravelmart.com; Interlink at 524-0016 to 18 or email atditsalcain@yahoo.com; Ecozone at (045) 887-0332/332-8961; The Marvels of Travel at 842-7548 or email at lilianne6500@yahoo.com; Land and Sky Travel at (032) 254-5434 or email at richelle.landskytravel@gmail.com; I Love Travel at 232-1366/242-7281/340-3034 or email at ilovetravelntours@yahoo.com; Log on Travel at 313-6319/313-6337 or email at log_ontravel@yahoo.com; or the Singapore Airlines Tours Desk at 753-5151 to 52 or 756-8899 local 7001/7002 or email attours_mnl@singaporeair.com.sg, cc reservations@siaholidays.com.ph.

For bookings and more details, visit www.singaporeair.com. You may also contact the Glorietta concierge at 752-7272 for more details on the promo

Explore New Zealand via Glorietta with Singapore Airlines

Experience New Zealand at Glorietta with Singapore Airlines

The New Zealand Embassy, has partnered with Singapore Airlines and Glorietta as they bring together this year’s ‘Experience New Zealand at Glorietta with Singapore Airlines’, a fair to be held at the Glorietta Activity Center, Palm Drive from June 20 to 22, 2014. The fair will give Filipino travelers a foretaste of the finest New Zealand has to offer, from a variety of delicious food and fresh produce, to the best travel deals to New Zealand’s picturesque cities.

In line with Ayala Malls’ commitment in providing innovative and rewarding experiences to shoppers, Glorietta shoppers will also be given the chance to experience New Zealand for themselves as Singapore Airlines and the New Zealand Embassy are giving away two ‘Experience New Zealand’ packages to Auckland, one for 6 days and 5 nights, and the other for 5 days and 4 nights, inclusive of round-trip economy class tickets via Singapore Airlines, accommodations and tours.

Photo of the contract signing shows (from left, standing): Myrna Fernandez, Ayala Land Assistant Vice President; Hernando Banal, New Zealand Trade Commissioner, New Zealand Embassy; Rita Dy, Manager for Marketing Communications and Services, Singapore Airlines; (seated): Rowena Tomeldan, Ayala Land Vice President and Head of Operations and Support Services, Commercial Business Group; H.E. Ambassador Reuben Levermore, Ambassador of New Zealand to the Philippines, New Zealand Embassy; Ranjan Jha, General Manager, Singapore Airlines .

To avail of a raffle coupon, shoppers must present P2,000.00 single and/or accumulated worth of receipts from any Glorietta 1 to 5, 6750 and The Link merchants, plus one purchase of Singapore Airlines/SilkAir Ticket from Manila, Cebu, Davao or Kalibo to Auckland or Christchurch from May 20, 2014 to June 22, 2014. Tickets can be purchased from www.singaporeair.com, SQ Mobile App, Singapore Airlines/SilkAir Ticket and Reservations Offices, and travel agents. AMORE and VIPinoy card holders, as well as Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer members may also increase their chances of winning by presenting their cards along with the proof of purchase to double their raffle coupons. The promo will run from May 20 to June 22, 2014, with the grand draw on June 24, 2014.

For bookings and more details, visit www.singaporeair.com. You may also contact the Glorietta concierge at 752-7272 for more details on the promo.