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Travellers seek care for homes
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With the start of Spring Festival next week, travellers are becoming
more and more concerned about who will take care of their homes, water
their flowers and feed their pets.
However, a domestic service company in Yangzhou, East
China's Jiangsu Province, is already created with trained housekeepers for
the holiday.
"The first group of 54 housekeepers were booked within two or three
days of our advertisement on January 1. More than 250 people have called,
but we only have enough employees for 50 businesses," said Chen Xunqiang,
manager of the Bangbang Domestic Service Company.
According to Chen, all the housekeepers are local laid-off workers who
have received training in domestic emergencies, caring for flowers, pets
and other requirements set by the customers. Among the 50 customers, about
30 are private families and the other 20 are enterprises.
"Our family is going away to my hometown and won't be back until the
middle of next month. I feel relieved to know that a professional
housekeeper will take care of my home and shop while I'm away," said Tu
Zhiyong, a private business owner and customer.
Tu told China Daily that he considered storing his treasures in the
local bank. "But on second thought, it is cheaper and more convenient to hire a temporary
housekeeper."
Currently, the Bangbang Company charges about 100 yuan (US$12.5) for a
day's service.
According to Chen, six local real estate
companies have also booked his doorkeeping service.
"All the staff leaves for the holiday, and it is inconsiderate and expensive to ask anyone to
stay. Hiring a doorkeeper makes everything much easier," said the manager
of the Kunhong Real Estate Company surnamed Yang.
In Shanghai, holiday travellers looking for nannies to watch their pets
left at home find help in pet shops and pet training bases with special
services.
Xinba Pet Training Base offers five-star services for pet
guests.
Dogs entrusted there can
play on the vast lawns during the day, and sleep in a cage in a large room
at night.
Dogs boarded for more than 15 days will receive a free set of services
including baths every other
day, nail
trimming and ear cleaning.
A large dog costs 80 yuan (US$10) per day, while a small one only costs
60 yuan (US$7.5) a day. Various discounts are provided for dogs
staying longer than a week or longer than a month.
Dogs at the Shanghai Jialiang K-9 Dog Company have the opportunity to
enjoy VIP services for 140-160 yuan (US$17-20) a day. These rooms are big
and equipped with air conditioners.
Some small pet shops in Shanghai are also offering the service, but
dogs are usually locked in a small cage, with less care.
(China Daily) | 
Updated: 2006-01-24 16:37
