Finding travel pals online risky affair, experts warn

Seeking travel companions through social media is gaining popularity among Chinese youth, offering a novel way to explore destinations with companionship tailored to personal preferences. However, experts urge stricter regulation to address safety risks and prevent potential exploitation.

The trend, widely discussed on platforms like Xiaohongshu, a Chinese lifestyle-sharing app like Instagram, involves users posting their travel plans and specifying requirements for prospective "travel pals." These criteria often include gender, personality traits, or skills such as photography.

"I first learned about this type of travel arrangement through Xiaohongshu, a Chinese lifestyle-sharing platform where people post their travel plans and their requirements for a companion, including gender, personality traits and skills like photography," said Liu Chenmin, a 26-year-old from Beijing.

"Most posts I've seen involve females seeking female companions. They often specify qualities like a good temperament, patience for taking photos at tourist spots and knowledge of the destination's best restaurants and cafes.

"Some seekers offer service fees to their companions, while others mention covering food and transportation costs. From my perspective, these companions are like self-employed or flexible tour guides, but they provide more emotional value than professional guidance," she said, adding that while the idea is novel, she would hesitate to try it due to safety concerns.

Wang Wenda, director of psychological health education at Xinhua College of Ningxia University in northwestern China, said that this trend appeals to individuals who seek companionship but are not sociable or adept at maintaining close social relationships.

"Youths today prefer personalized trips, and travel companions can help create tailored travel plans based on specific needs. Moreover, many young people face increasing work and life pressures and may experience greater loneliness due to a lack of close social connections," he said. "A random travel companion offers continuous companionship during the trip, with the advantage of requiring no ongoing commitment once the trip ends."

A recent survey by China Youth News revealed that over 70 percent of the 1,333 surveyed youths found it increasingly difficult to maintain close social relationships.

However, experts warn that this trendy travel method carries significant risks, including personal safety threats, financial loss and ambiguous expectations that could lead to inappropriate or even illegal activities, such as sexual services.

"It's understandable that youths want a better travel experience with a companion of similar age, interests and preferences. Traveling alone can be lonely and inconvenient," said Wei Changren, founder of btiii.com, a tourism-related financial news website.

"However, it's difficult to verify a companion's true intentions before meeting them offline. Social media platforms must tighten their management of such activities by reviewing the personal information of those offering or seeking companion services," he warned.

Wei recommended traveling with friends or familiar people rather than strangers from social media to avoid potential risks outweighing the benefits. "While the emotional value offered by companions is significant, their guiding services may not be as professional as those of trained tour guides. Additionally, registered tour guides usually operate through companies or agencies, offering a safer option for travelers," he said, noting that Chinese regulations require tour guides to hold official certifications.

Wang also emphasized the need to consider the psychological risks of these temporary relationships as they deviate from usual social norms.

He advised young travelers to remain cautious about their safety and avoid situations that could lead to exploitation or involvement in inappropriate activities.

chengsi@chinadaily.com.cn