Villa-renting for vacation thrives across China

Tourists enjoy themselves at a homestay in Hanerzhuang township of Qianxi county, North China's Hebei province, June 29, 2023. [Xinhua/Photo]

A report by Tujia Homestays (one of China's leading short-term lodging rental platforms) revealed bookings in the summer vacation have doubled compared to those in 2019, with "renting a villa", "family trips" and "water activities" emerging as the keywords for this year's summer vacation across China.

This summer, there has been a notable increase in group travelers and their demands for villa accommodation. According to data from Tujia Homestays, bookings for single-family villas have surged, showing a remarkable 180% growth compared to 2019. The cities with the highest demand for booking single villas during the summer include Qinhuangdao, Beijing, Dali, Huzhou, and Sanya.

The appeal of "renting a villa" for vacation lies in its high level of privacy and interactivity, making it an attractive choice for gatherings among young people.

Wang Fan, a tourist from Beijing, said, "It is really hot these days, so I don't want to go to crowded places. However, I still want to be with my friends. A single house provides both communal spaces for activities like card games, singing, and swimming, as well as independent bedrooms for undisturbed rest at night. Although it may be slightly more expensive than renting individual rooms or staying at a hotel, the overall experience is highly satisfying."

Some landlords have noted a significant rise in the proportion of full-villa bookings during the summer and have responded by offering customized services to meet customers' needs.

In line with this trend, the Tujia platform has launched the "Summer Getaways for Groups" campaign, recommending high-quality homestays that cater to various occasions such as gatherings, family trips, and team buildings.

Family trips dominate homestay bookings, accounting for nearly 60% of the total reservations. Besides, homestays with cultural and experiential themes are particularly favored, with the most bookings for the ancient cities of Beijing, Xi'an, Nanjing, and Luoyang. Additionally, agricultural activities have emerged as a new trend, immersing parents and children in the charm of rural life.

In Ankang City, northwest China's Shaanxi province, Mengziyang Homestay is nestled amid mountains and lakes, featuring tea gardens, tea factories, rice fields, and rice wine factories.

"The homestay allows people to experience a pastoral life through a variety of agricultural activities. Next to the courtyard is an eighty-mu (about 5.3 hectares) rice field. In summer, tourists can go to the fields to catch fish and listen to frogs croaking," said Gou Yunhua, the homestay host.

Source: People's Daily; trans-editing by Guo Yao