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.