The 2023 Anhui Homestay Inn Conference took place in Yixian county – located in Huangshan city in East China's Anhui province – on Nov 11.
Things get underway in the conference hall of the 2023 Anhui Homestay Inn Conference. [Photo by Wang Lei]
Under the theme "My Heart Finds Peace, Lodging in Anhui," participants explored the current landscape and emerging trends of the homestay industry, exchanging insights into sustainable development practices.
The overarching goal was to foster the growth of top Huizhou – the ancient name of Huangshan city – homestay brands, drive the integration of culture and tourism and propel Anhui forwards as a premier tourist destination with a rich local identity.
Anhui's tourism homestay industry has experienced great growth in recent years, with the total number of homestays passing the 6,000 mark.
Most notably, Huangshan city has strategically tapped into the historical, cultural, economic and aesthetic treasures of Huizhou ancient architecture, promoting the Huizhou Beautiful Homestay brand.
The outcome has been a collection of special, market-recognized homestays that have become firm favorites with visitors.
During the conference, 10 provincial homestay associations – including those in Anhui and South China's Guangdong province – signed a far-reaching alliance agreement, with the aim of fostering collaboration for regional homestay industry development.
Furthermore, the ceremony celebrated and handed out awards to key figures in Anhui's tourism homestay sector and recognized the achievements of winners in the Anhui Rural Tourism Homestay Creative Design Competition.