Study tours increase rural popularity

In recent days, multiple study tour groups have visited some scenic spots in Xiangxi, such as Shibadong Village of Huayuan County, Qingzhu Mountain of GuzhangCounty, Bamian Mountain of Longshan County, and Rebala Village.
 
Based on its abundant cultural tourism resources and Red resources, Xiangxi has continuously extended the “value chain” of cultural tourism, developed study tour products, and boosted rural revitalization through study tours. Jishou City has launched high-quality study tour courses, covering geology, biology, intangible cultural heritage, Red education, labor education, and so on. The Aizhai Bridge Scenic Area has received 47,000 people of study tour groups this year.

The Rebala Scenic Area in Longshan County has carried out a wealth of activities, such as on-site teaching of various folk cultures, agricultural labor experiences, Tujia art performances, and traditional skill training, which is favored by the tourism market. The booming study tourism has increased rural popularity and villagers’ earnings. Many villagers have engaged in services such as tour guides, teaching, cleaning, and security guards in scenic spots. There are also many villagers who use their own houses or rent stores in scenic spots at lower prices to open farmhouse restaurants, homestay inns, and convenience stores.

“I didn’t expect there would be so many tourists,” said Peng Xiaolin, a villager from Rebala. He has established the teaching center for Tujia ethnic traditional clothing and intangible cultural heritage in the village, and received study tour groups from different places, achieving revenue of 500,000 yuan. Since last year, the villager Xiang Xiaobing has cooperated with local tourism companies to expand his own homestay inns, receiving 12,000 tourists and achieving revenue of 550,000 yuan.