Ten tourists from Shandong province were the first to experience a new travel butler service recently in Suzhou. During their three-day stay, their "butlers" helped them book travel tickets, hotel rooms and restaurants and accompanied them to tourism spots as travel guides.

The travel butler service, launched by local travel agency Gusu Tourism Operation Center, is a tour guide service customized for individual travelers.

In addition to booking services, the butlers also recommended tourism spots, dining options and shopping choices as requested. The butler services were available at all times.

Unlike travel guides for group tours, the travel butler customizes travel plans to suit individual tourists and only accompany them when needed.

According to the travel agency, the current travel butlers are mainly employees of the agency, part-time workers and volunteers.

In recent years, independent travel and customized routes are becoming more popular with domestic tourists. Wang Yuanchun, marketing director of Suzhou Shantang Cultural and Tourism Development, said data shows that 90 percent of 224,500 tourists visiting the Shantang Street Scenic Area are independent travelers.

Wang said the travel butler service has been well received among tourists and more professional butlers are needed as the independent travel market is booming.

The Gusu Tourism Operation Center started the recruitment of part-time travel butlers in March. People who love Suzhou and know a lot about the city's culture, tradition, transportation, food and tourism spots, as well as being capable of devising interesting travel routes, can apply for the position. The butler team also welcomes people who are passionate about traveling and exploring the city to join.

Wang said he hopes more people will join the travel butler team to help present Suzhou culture to the world.