Exploring new careers: Homestay managers drive growth in rural tourism
Exploring new career opportunities, homestay managers are driving the growth of rural tourism.
TroibNews 
Editor's note: CN introduces "New Trends," a series that delves into emerging trends among Chinese individuals and their root causes. The series emphasizes the effects of China's economic reforms and openness, highlighting the modernization initiatives from the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. As new productive forces drive this transformation, they are altering the lifestyles and day-to-day activities of the Chinese, merging old customs with modern innovations.
A notable increase in rural tourism has led to the creation of numerous new job titles. One such role is that of the homestay manager, who not only offers a sense of "poetry and distance" to visitors but also breathes new life into rural communities.
Liu Huimin began her journey as a homestay manager for Siduhe Village in Huairou, Beijing, before she had even finished her university studies.
"In the traditional perception, people just take it for granted that homestay managers play the role of waiters, responsible for tourist receiving and the room services, like washing the dishes or cleaning rooms," Liu told China Media Group (CMG).
"However, with the market expansion and the standardization of the industry, a qualified homestay manager is expected to have a firm grasp or a high degree of competence in many fields," Liu added.
Enhancing rural tourism appeal internationally
"Walking in the village, people can see an eye-catching culture journey map in front of each homestay, with text introducing the characteristics of the house and a QR code for details, like booking information," Liu said.
Liu is pioneering new methods for running homestays. She also started managing the village's social media profiles to boost its visibility by crafting narratives, creating videos, and livestreaming events in the village. Her initiatives not only attracted more visitors but also provided significant benefits to the local community.
"Nowadays, the role of a homestay manager is not just to provide accommodation-related services but also to become a disseminator of local culture and a lifestyle guide," Liu noted.
"With the help of the village committee, we integrated local resources to create cultural and tourism products so that guests visiting the small mountain village can have a richer experience," she added.
By harnessing local cultural traits, Liu and her colleagues developed various cultural and tourism programs, such as art classes, educational trips, and creative markets. Additionally, she collaborated with locals to offer a variety of experiential activities like chestnut picking, stargazing, and camping, transforming a small village into a notable landmark and attracting international volunteers to the homestay management team.
The formalization of a burgeoning role
The surge in job opportunities mirrors the thriving evolution of innovative rural business models and acts as a new driver of rural revitalization. Today, more young individuals like Liu are opting to work in rural settings.
In 2023, the number of homestay managers rose by 8 percent compared to the previous year, according to a recruitment website.
With the growing "self-entertainment economy," many new related professions have emerged, including homestay managers, cultural and creative product planners, leisure site managers, and coffee roasters.
In a notable advancement, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security along with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism introduced national occupational standards for homestay managers in February, categorizing the role across five levels from "junior worker" to "senior technician."
"The newly released occupational standards offer the youths a new channel for career advancement, which can greatly improve their sense of professional honor and career planning. The professionalization of homestay managers also can provide good support for the overall development of the industry," Long Fei, deputy secretary general of China Travel Agents Association, told CMG.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
A notable increase in rural tourism has led to the creation of numerous new job titles. One such role is that of the homestay manager, who not only offers a sense of "poetry and distance" to visitors but also breathes new life into rural communities.
Liu Huimin began her journey as a homestay manager for Siduhe Village in Huairou, Beijing, before she had even finished her university studies.
"In the traditional perception, people just take it for granted that homestay managers play the role of waiters, responsible for tourist receiving and the room services, like washing the dishes or cleaning rooms," Liu told China Media Group (CMG).
"However, with the market expansion and the standardization of the industry, a qualified homestay manager is expected to have a firm grasp or a high degree of competence in many fields," Liu added.
Enhancing rural tourism appeal internationally
"Walking in the village, people can see an eye-catching culture journey map in front of each homestay, with text introducing the characteristics of the house and a QR code for details, like booking information," Liu said.
Liu is pioneering new methods for running homestays. She also started managing the village's social media profiles to boost its visibility by crafting narratives, creating videos, and livestreaming events in the village. Her initiatives not only attracted more visitors but also provided significant benefits to the local community.
"Nowadays, the role of a homestay manager is not just to provide accommodation-related services but also to become a disseminator of local culture and a lifestyle guide," Liu noted.
"With the help of the village committee, we integrated local resources to create cultural and tourism products so that guests visiting the small mountain village can have a richer experience," she added.
By harnessing local cultural traits, Liu and her colleagues developed various cultural and tourism programs, such as art classes, educational trips, and creative markets. Additionally, she collaborated with locals to offer a variety of experiential activities like chestnut picking, stargazing, and camping, transforming a small village into a notable landmark and attracting international volunteers to the homestay management team.
The formalization of a burgeoning role
The surge in job opportunities mirrors the thriving evolution of innovative rural business models and acts as a new driver of rural revitalization. Today, more young individuals like Liu are opting to work in rural settings.
In 2023, the number of homestay managers rose by 8 percent compared to the previous year, according to a recruitment website.
With the growing "self-entertainment economy," many new related professions have emerged, including homestay managers, cultural and creative product planners, leisure site managers, and coffee roasters.
In a notable advancement, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security along with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism introduced national occupational standards for homestay managers in February, categorizing the role across five levels from "junior worker" to "senior technician."
"The newly released occupational standards offer the youths a new channel for career advancement, which can greatly improve their sense of professional honor and career planning. The professionalization of homestay managers also can provide good support for the overall development of the industry," Long Fei, deputy secretary general of China Travel Agents Association, told CMG.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
