The homestay industry has mushroomed in Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang province, in recent years as rural tourism gains in popularity nationwide.

Official data shows that the city is now home to more than 1,900 homestays, 29 of which have been certified by the Zhejiang Provincial Evaluation and Management for Homestays.

Tiantai county is known for its homestays. In 2019, its homestays received 6.293 million guests and generated 438 million yuan ($63.4 million) in revenue, up 11.1 percent and 17.2 percent, respectively. 

In Tiantai, concerted efforts have been made to develop homestays as a driver of rural tourism and related services. 

In late March, Taizhou rolled out an action plan to revitalize its culture and tourism sectors after being hit by the epidemic. One such measure is to develop homestay clusters and integrate homestays with things such as restaurants, tour guides, and agritainment services.

Caowu, a homestay renovated from an old house in a village in Linhai, Taizhou. [Photo/taizhou.com.cn]

A homestay in Taihou village, Tiantai county, Taizhou. [Photo/taizhou.com.cn]