What factors are needed for the development of homestays?
From overseasAirbnbto local platforms like Xiaozhu Short-Term Rental and Tujia, homestays have flourished rapidly in China in recent years. In addition to providing more diverse accommodation options, they also face numerous challenges typical of emerging industries. So, how can homestays develop better and faster?
As an emerging industry, homestays sit between hotels, guesthouses, and long-term rentals. Regulating them is a systematic project involving multiple government departments, including public security, fire control, tourism, environmental protection, market supervision, and health. Given the current market conditions, relevant authorities should introduce more detailed and homestay-appropriate access mechanisms, foster the growth of a homestay industry cluster, and guide the sector toward healthy and orderly development. New industries inevitably face various issues in their early stages, requiring tolerance, support, and oversight from the relevant authorities.
At the same time, industry practitioners need to continuously improve their personal taste, industry understanding, and a high degree of self-discipline to maintain the healthy and sustainable growth of the field. Internal unity and collective maintenance help eliminate negative practices, nurture this fledgling industry, and enable it to progress more steadily and swiftly. Currently, online booking platforms such as Xiaozhu Short-Term Rental have begun strengthening the vetting process for listed homestays, adopting advanced technologies like fingerprint door locks, integrating with public security identity verification systems for real-name guest management, and meticulously managing aspects such as security, fire safety, and hygiene—all in an effort to bolster industry development.
From the consumer’s perspective, there is also a need to enhance understanding of what homestays truly are. As the most direct experiencers, consumers’ feedback provides the most valuable insights and suggestions that can drive iterative improvements in the industry. At the same time, consumers should uphold basic standards, be courageous in asserting their rights—for example, expecting that bed linens, pillowcases, towels, and other items are changed for each guest and requesting such services when necessary. While these standards are not yet mandatory or backed by specific laws, consumers have the right to supervise. With high standards, strict requirements, improved regulations, and legislative measures that strongly support the economic development of the homestay sector,homestays can truly become a “home away from home” for travelers. Consumer satisfaction is the cornerstone of the industry. The more people recognize and choose homestays, the greater the demand-driven expansion of the market will be, laying the foundation for a thriving homestay industry in the future.
With the growth of leisure tourism, trendyinsstyles—such as internet-famous aesthetics, raw industrial design, and rustic farmhouse themes—are becoming increasingly popular choices among travelers. After all, “cookie-cutter” hotels can no longer satisfy people’s desire for personalized experiences. Homestays allow visitors to feel the warmth of being “at home,” provide a more “down-to-earth” immersion in local culture, and offer backpackers a comfortable and convenient space for social interaction. It is hoped that the industry will continue to evolve, gradually maturing from a nascent venture into a well-established one—creating jobs, driving economic growth, and delivering unforgettable experiences and memories to more people.