China News Service, Jilin, February 10th: Jilin’s “Generation Z” takes over the control of B&Bs to “favor guests”
China News Service reporter Cang Yan Shi Hongyu
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, mist rises from the rime island in the Songhua River, and firecrackers sound one after another. The Zhangjia Inn in Hantun Village is particularly warm. Dozens of red and green floral jackets and fur hats are hung on the hangers. Guests can wear whatever they like and take photos. The proprietress Yang Jiajia is standing by to give them some dressing suggestions.
30-year-old Yang Jiajia is an expert at taking "video blockbusters" for guests wearing large flowered jackets. She will tell the guests in the inn in advance what color clothes to wear when taking photos under the rime trees to "feel like a fairy" - and this is one of her ways of "pampering guests".
Tourists take photos wearing large flowered jackets. (Information photo) Photo provided by Yang Jiajia
This winter, the Northeastern region of China has become popular due to "pampering guests", driving the popularity of cultural tourism to soar. "Generation Z" B&B operators like Yang Jiajia also rely on their own skills to "pamper guests" to attract tourists to stay there for the New Year.
Hantun Village is located in Manchu Town, Wula Street, Jilin City, Jilin Province, adjacent to Wusong Island on the Songhua River. During the Spring Festival, this village is full of New Year's spirit. Tourists wear Northeastern flower jackets and walk through the streets. Dozens of B&Bs in the village hang up red lanterns, and the golden corn stacks have the word "Fu" pasted on them.
Yang Jiajia was married from Yunnan. After her parents-in-law ran a B&B for many years, the young couple took over the business. Most of Zhangjia Inn's orders come from online. The young Yang Jiajia has a good grasp of the "traffic code", acting as a photographer for tourists and shooting Vlogs with them... She understands trends and is good at photography, and has been praised by many guests. .
Yang Jiajia builds a snowman outside the B&B. Photo courtesy of Yang Jiajia
Nowadays, in Jilin, more and more traditional business models of homestays are changing due to the "Z Generation".
Zengtong Village in Jilin City is located on Wusong Island, surrounded by water. From Zengtong Village to Hantun Village, you have to take a ferry from Songhua River. One island and two villages share the same New Year flavor. Zhang Wei, who is also a member of the "Z generation", entertains guests with home-brewed wine. Cherry, plum, ginseng, and sorghum are all raw materials for his wine.
Zhang Wei also took over the homestay business from his parents. He has the straightforward character of Northeastern people who like to communicate. Several families from the north and the south are celebrating the New Year here. Zhang Wei specially planned a party in advance and guest-hosted several families to "link up".
Zhang Wei believes that "being good at social interaction" is his own label, and it is also the way Northeastern people treat guests. At the small New Year's Eve party directed by him, several residents actively participated, and the interactive "staying up" was lively.
Zhao Lili, the owner of Sanya Inn, relies on her sincerity to "pamper her guests". The B&B she runs is the "top class" in Zengtong Village - during the Spring Festival of the Year of the Dragon, the rooms are full every day. Guests from Shanghai and Guangdong want to travel in depth in the Northeast, and Zhao Lili helps them make travel strategies.
Zhao Lili’s secret is to make guides for tourists. For example, when to see the rime, what to pay attention to when taking a night cruise, where to eat authentic snacks... She will help guests make a route map.
"Generation Z" like Yang Jiajia have been busy after taking over the B&B, which also enhances the tourists' sense of experience. On the first day of the New Year, the "flower cotton-padded jackets" in the B&B were laughing and celebrating the New Year together. (over)