(Yicai Global) July 21 -- Heavy rains in China’s central Henan province have triggered national concern. After major tourist platforms introduced free refunds, leading hotel operators announced plans to accommodate residents of the flood-ravaged province.

Huazhu Hotels Group said customers who booked rooms in Henan for today and tomorrow can cancel for free if their visit was affected by the heavy rains. The group’s 294 hotels in the province are fully staffed to receive guests and accommodate those who are stranded. They will also offer free breakfasts to guests today and tomorrow.

BTG Homeinns Hotels Group has implemented its emergency flood response plan and is now checking and screening its hotels in disaster-stricken areas. Its staff and customers are safe, with no reports of injuries or deaths, the firm said. Some qualified hotels have been opened to people affected by the adverse weather, providing facilities and space for them.

BTG Homeinns has also initiated an emergency rapid response plan, announcing free cancellation of orders for disaster-hit clients, which will be implemented immediately.

Refunds and ticket changes for scenic spots in Henan are ongoing due to the rains, though the summer holidays should have been peak tourist season.

Online travel agency Fliggy said customers with tickets for Henan’s tourist sites and holiday packages dated between yesterday and July 23 can apply for refunds and changes free of charge, if the stormy weather prevents them from traveling.

Fliggy will also cooperate with merchants to properly accommodate travelers who had already begun their trips to ensure their safety.

Travel agency Lvmama said that users who had booked tickets for scenic sites, hotels and other products in Zhengzhou, Henan’s capital, and other affected areas through its site Lvmama.com for today and tomorrow can get a free refund. Lvmama will also help users in coordinating and revising their travel plans if a group tour involves a trip through Zhengzhou.

Travel app Mafengwo said users can apply for a full refund if their travel was cut short due to the rains shuttering scenic spots or causing traffic disruption. All losses from the cancellation of orders will be borne by Mafengwo.

Users of travel portal Qyer.com who booked nights in hotels in Henan before yesterday and planned to check in between yesterday and tomorrow can call customer services for a free cancellation, if the rains impacted their trips, Qyer said.

Editors: Xu Wei, Peter Thomas