CHINESE women will have no more reason to fear ‘Big Aunty’ – a euphemism for menstruation – when planning hot spring trips, thanks to a new insurance service offered by the Chinese OTA.
Jointly launched this week by Ctrip.com and women’s health management app Big Aunty, the “women’s care service” insures female travellers who have booked trips to China’s hot springs, allowing them to amend these self-drive itineraries without penalty should their periods coincide with the trip.
Travellers pay a token fee to make a reservation at the hot spring and can choose to buy a standard service for RMB1 (US$0.16) that guarantees refunds for unused admission tickets to the hot spring, while the deluxe edition at RMB2 will ensure a full return of accommodation and hot spring entrance costs, among others.
Consumers need only present a screenshot of the Big Aunty app, which is the sole authentication platform for this service, for verification and refunds.
The service covers more than 1,000 self-drive hot spring itineraries currently, and Ctrip expects the insurance programme to attract even more women to buy hot spring travel in the autumn and winter months via its online portal.
Ctrip’s tourism department marketing director, Dai Yu, said that the service is a first in China, following its insurance on cancellations due to pregnancy and visa issues. It is considering extending the insurance scheme to other activities such as island-hopping, skiing, and diving, and aims to launch special care programmes for senior and child travellers.
Article by Yvonne Chang. Translated by Ong Yanchun from the original TTG China e-Daily, October 15, 2014 article.
