Hiring a nursemaid to accompany traveling elders has become a popular practice among families in Guangzhou, capital of southern China's Guangdong Province, according to a report on Saturday in the local newspaper The Information Times.

"Travel fares in the off-season are comparatively low and with the extra money we can employ a nursemaid to take care of my 60-year-old mother during the journey," the newspaper quoted a citizen surnamed Li as saying.

Most domestic service companies provide travel nursemaids to look after their clients during a trip. The nursemaids carry luggage, help sick senior citizens and give them medicine, and perform other chores.

Travel agencies also are promoting low-priced travel plans to attract senior citizens, giving the nursemaid business a further boost.

Usually the families that hire the nursemaids must cover their travel expenses and pay an additional 50 to 80 yuan, or 7 to 11 US dollars per day, for their services, the report said.

Seniors who travel together on a package tour can hire one nursemaid for the whole group, a tour guide from Guangdong Nanhu International Travel Agency told the newspaper.

Experts from the Guangzhou Consumer Association said that the travel nursemaid is a new profession that combines the tasks of a traditional caretaker and a tour guide. They warned consumers to clarify the responsibilities of travel nursemaids before signing contracts with domestic service companies since there currently are no special rules or regulations governing the business. （CRIENGLISH.com）