Cross-Straits experts explore Quzhou homestay sector

Fouty-four homestay owners and experts from Quzhou, Zhejiang province and cities of Taiwan, including Taichung, Hualien, and Nant'ou, are invited to visit homestays in Quzhou. [Photo/qz123.com]

An activity to explore the development of the homestay industry in both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan was held in Quzhou, eastern Zhejiang province, from July 8 to 13.

A total of 44 homestay owners and experts from Nant'ou, Taichung, Hualien, and Quzhou were invited to visit homestays in the city and give their advice on further development of the local homestay sector.

At a meeting held on July 12, P'eng Ch'eng-yü, chairman of the Taiwan Rural Accommodation Association, delivered a keynote speech on the management of homestays.

P'eng said that Taiwan is blazing a path of its own in homestays and wanted to share successful experiences and lessons from failure to shorten the time needed to boost the development of the homestay industry in Quzhou.

Representatives of Taiwan homestay owners also shared their experience and opinions in running a homestay and explored prospects for cooperation with their Quzhou counterparts at the meeting.

As early as the 1980s, the homestay industry in Taiwan began to experience prosperous development, making itself a significant part of rural tourism in Taiwan.

In 2005, the first agricultural entertainment facility in Quzhou was opened to the public. After more than 10 years of development, the city is home to a thriving homestay sector.

Statistics show that in 2018, Quzhou homestays greeted more than 49.34 million tourists and netted 2.74 billion yuan profit ($398.54 million), respective year-on-year increases of 25.84 percent and 29.39 percent.

Quzhou is now home to a diversity of boutique homestays. [Photo/qz123.com]