Among the award-winning souvenirs is a traditional embroidery fan offered by a rural homestay hotel in Ninghai county, Zhejiang province. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

The Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism recently launched the first edition of a competition for souvenirs gifted or sold to guests by rural homestay hotels across the province in an effort to promote rural tourism.

Through online voting and professional reviews, the contest selected 29 winners for its all-round award and 24 winners for single-item awards. Culture and tourism authorities in Ningbo, Huzhou, Jiaxing, Jinhua, and Taizhou were also awarded for enrolling contestants.

Award-winning souvenirs were mostly teas, wines, snack foods, and handicrafts unique to the localities where the homestay hotels are based.