Integration of tea and tourism helps increase residents’ income

In recent years, Guzhang County of Xiangxi Prefecture has vigorously developed rural tourism, and actively explored tea and tourism integration, Miao-style folk custom tour and tour of quality homestay inns, opening up a unique rural tourism development path. This not only activates the rural economy, but also injects strong impetus into rural revitalization. As a large tea industry county, the local governments of Guzhang County works to promote the integrated development of tea and tourism. Such activities as tea garden sightseeing, tea picking experience, tea art performances, and tea culture exchanges are integrated into tourism routes, which allows tourists to enjoy the natural beauty and have a deeper understanding of Guzhang tea culture.

A comprehensive tea industrial park was built in Niujiaoshan Village of Morong Town. Verdant tea trees are planted on the mountaintop, a breeding base was built on the mountain side, and a tourist destination that integrates leisure, entertainment and cultural experience was created at the foot of the mountain. In 2023, the Niujiaoshan Tea Industrial Park, with its unique natural scenery and profound cultural heritage, attracted over 1 million visitors with its production value exceeding 300 million yuan.

Niujiaoshan Village has provided nearly 1,300 job opportunities for local and nearby residents with such a development model, allowing them to work at their doorstep, increasing their income and improving their quality of life.

Morong Miao Village and Hangwu Miao Village are two of the important scenic spots on the golden tourism route connecting Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang Ancient Town. In recent years, the government of Guzhang County and a tourism company at Morong Miao Village have made joint efforts to protect and develop Morong Miao Village. The company and the government jointly invested a large amount of money in improving infrastructure and protecting cultural heritage.

In 2023, the number of tourists received by Morong Miao Village exceeded one million. Through diversified operations such as ticket sales, specialty tea sales, catering services, and reception of tour groups, the accumulated economic income exceeded 400 million yuan.

This effectively promotes the vigorous development of rural economy and brings tangible benefits to local residents. As people’s living standards improve and consumption concepts change, the demand for personalized and high-quality tourism experiences is increasing. Therefore, the county has worked to develop quality homestay inn industry to provide tourists with a more comfortable and unique accommodation experience.

Erzhuo Valley Boutique Homestay Inn has become a benchmark in the industry with its excellent quality and meticulous services.

According to statistics from 2023, the homestay inn received about 50,000 tourists through an online booking system, and generated revenue of about 10 million yuan, injecting strong momentum into the local economy.

In 2023, Guzhang County received a total of 5.1466 million tourists and achieved tourism revenue of 4.227 billion yuan, most of which came from rural tourism.

Next, the county will continue to deepen the upgrading of the tourism industry, and explore more tourism models to promote rural revitalization.


Chinese source: hunantoday