The popularity of mountain hiking companions, particularly during the Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, has swiftly gained public attention and raised safety concerns, reported Guangming Daily.
More people are becoming mountain hiking companions online, and they are in high demand thanks to the Mid-Autumn Festival and the upcoming National Day holiday. Many companions are fully booked through mid-October.
Social media posts detailing mountain hiking companions' experiences and tips fuel the service's popularity.
Scaling Mount Tai, with its main peak soaring to an elevation of 1,545 meters, poses a formidable challenge for many tourists. Mountain hiking companions make climbing the mountain easier by sharing tasks like childcare and emotional support. They help tourists enjoy the scenery, take photos and provide expert guidance.
According to Guangming Daily's report, over 300 part-time mountain hiking companions, predominantly university students, charge fees ranging from 100 to 300 yuan ($14 to $42) per service. One companion claims to earn an average monthly income of 15,000 yuan ($2,115).
In addition to income, the companions get exercise and other intangible benefits. "Interacting with diverse individuals holds greater significance than making that 300 yuan, which is why I intend to persist," said Sun, a mountain hiking companion.
As the demand and popularity for mountain hiking companions have increased, so too have concerns about safety. Mountain hiking companions are not recognized as a formal profession.
Guangming Daily reported concerns about the companions' physical strength and technical knowledge in the face of dangerous situations and the transportation of children or elderly individuals.
The imperative now lies in utilizing contracts to mitigate risks associated with service standards, cost disputes and responsibility delineation, alongside enhancing the regulation and management of this part-time market to ensure the rights and safety of hiking companions and tourists.
