Traveling in a crowd

Zheng Shihao trekked the Annapurna Circuit. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Zheng says a pretty face and the ability to write will help when pitching a trip for crowdfunding. Posting your photo online will also bring more support.

"Your rewards for contributors have to be interesting and unique. I don't think postcards or T-shirts are a good idea. You can take an item belonging to the supporter such as a doll, on the trip with you, that way the item will have its own travel stories," Zheng says.

Zheng sent e-mails about her trip to her donors and made video and audio recordings of her tour to showcase the impressive scenery. She also bought souvenirs for the donors such as bookmarks, kerchiefs, handmade soaps and postcards.

"The key is to have people trust you. You have to explain clearly your purpose and the practicability of your plan," says Wang Meiting, 26, who is in New Zealand on a working holiday visa. She has worked as a waitress and room cleaner, and is now a Chinese-language guide at Real Journeys, a tourism company in the country.

She raised about 50,000 yuan through her crowdfunding campaign, to support her dream of shooting a documentary about some Chinese young persons in New Zealand on a working holiday visa and what happens to them when the visa expires.

"Everyone has different plans. When the visa expires, some want to stay in New Zealand and some will return to China. I think a documentary is a more direct way than words to tell people's stories," she says.

"Crowdfunding for travel gets more people involved in a trip, and offers funds for those who need help. You get to know about people who share the same travel dream, and some may even join your trip. But it takes time to develop the market," says Chen Weibang, 28, co-founder of dreamore.com.

"I think crowdfunding for travel is promising in China. It offers an opportunity for those who don't have sufficient money to travel, and they can give quality rewards to supporters. You will feel happy to help others realize their dreams, " says Su Dinglun, from the department of ecotourism, College of Economics and Management, Northeast Forestry University.