A homestay hotel in Jinan, capital city of Shandong province, offers visitors an opportunity to stay in an area characterized by its idyllic beauty thanks to the local government's efforts to build a beautiful countryside. [Photo/dzwww.com]

East China's Shandong province has been ramping up efforts to promote the high-quality development of its homestay industry in recent years. It is expected to build more than 160 four-star or above homestays, according to news released by the provincial cultural and tourism department.

Jinan, capital city of Shandong, has rolled out a number of supportive measures to establish a complete ecosystem for the homestay industry. Special funds valued at 100 million yuan ($15.7 million) have also been introduced to promote the cluster development of the homestay industry, as well as to improve infrastructure and build more boutique homestays.

The development of the homestay industry in Jinan has helped lift locals out of poverty and increase their incomes. It has also enhanced ecological restoration in rural areas. A growing number of young people have chosen to return to their hometown to start a business, which in turn has stimulated the innovation capability of villages. Additionally, the homestay tourism has helped bolstered the traditional Chinese culture sector in rural areas.

Shandong has given full play to its rich cultural and tourism resources to develop its homestay tourism featuring Confucian culture and coastal tourism, which has brought more visible and tangible benefits to local residents.

Shandong Provincial Cultural and Tourism Department officials said that the province will continue to expedite the development of diversified business operations during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, such as developing cultural and creative products, as well as promoting intangible cultural heritage items. In addition, more complete homestay tourism complexes will be built to improve the industrial and value chains of the homestay industry.