Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Abibai) news: At Tugeleqinbulake Village in Zhaosu Town, Zhaosu County, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, there is a villager who has been living here for 56 years. It struck Geminjiang Rehemujiang that the small village where he was born and grew up would become a local demonstration village for rural tourism. Nor did he anticipate that, as an "old hand" who looked after the Lighthouse Educated Youth Memorial Hall, he would take on a new profession—a local museum administrator.

In August 2024, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and other departments officially released 19 new occupations, among which cultural and creative product planning and operation specialists, ski patrol rescuers, and livestreamers related to the cultural and tourism industry were included as newly added occupations. In China's Xinjiang, with the vigorous development of rural tourism, an increasing number of related new occupations have emerged and thrived. New occupations such as local museum administrators, homestay housekeepers, study tour guides, livestreamers, and herdsmen photographers have continuously sprung up, injecting new momentum into the development of rural tourism. These new occupations have also changed people's perceptions of traditional rural occupations, making the countryside a place where an increasing number of people can realize their dreams.

Photo shows a scene of herdsmen transfer livestock taken by a herder photographer named Kuligenay in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

New rural tourism posts in place

On November 10, 2024, in a homestay named "Hemudewa Manor" located in the Kanas scenic area, the homestay housekeeper Ou Donghua was preparing to welcome a group of tourists from southern China's Guangdong Province.

Hemudewa Manor blends local characteristics with modern style, and many tourists share their wonderful accommodation experiences there on Internet platforms such as Xiaohongshu and Ctrip, which has attracted numerous guests for Ou Donghua, with orders almost fully booked every month. While the excellent hardware facilities are one aspect, another important reason attracting so many tourists is Ou Donghua himself, an outstanding homestay housekeeper.

In 2022, homestay housekeeper was included in the National Occupation Classification Dictionary, and this year, a new subcategory was added under it, leisure camping site housekeeper. In Ou Donghua's view, a good homestay housekeeper defines the style and "soul" of a homestay. They are the personnel who provide customized services for tourists, including accommodation, catering, and experiences of the local natural environment, culture, and lifestyle. As the disseminators of local culture, they are required to be proficient in a wide range of skills. Therefore, every time she receives tourists, she provides them with heartwarming services, carefully considering everything from transportation to the color of the bedsheets in the rooms. Additionally, Ou Donghua leverages her advantage as a local by taking tourists to her childhood secret bases and "hidden" scenic spots. While enjoying delicious Xinjiang milk tea, she shares local folklore, customs, and lifestyle characteristics with the tourists, introducing the unique scenery of each location.

The emergence of new occupations has provided an increasing number of farmers and herdsmen with new directions for personal development. Kuligenay is one of them, a herder photographer from Hexie Second Village, Miaoergou Township, Changji City, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

From a young age, Kuligenay followed her family every year during their seasonal transferring of livestock. Along the way, she saw various animals on the grassland and felt the cycle of life and the greatness of nature, which inspired her to use her mobile phone to capture the beautiful scenery of her hometown and the happy life of herders. To enhance her photography skills, she participated in a photography training program for herdsmen organized by her village. Through continuous learning, Kuligenay got more and more source material, such as horseback riding, herding, the evening glow over the pasture, boiling tea, making yogurt, the flora and fauna in the pastoral areas, all were recorded by her through mobile phone.

In the past two years, the village often organized herdsmen photographers to participate in photography exhibitions around the area, and her works were selected almost every time. Some homestays and restaurants also invited her to take photos for them and displayed her works in their establishments. "The teacher who taught me photography once said that herder photographers can capture many scenes that others cannot see. At the end of the year, I plan to buy a drone and register an account on a social media platform to share the beautiful scenery and vibrant life captured by my lens," said Kuligenay.

With the all-round promotion of the rural revitalization strategy, new occupations have emerged. Zhang Cuili, the office director of the Saiwaishuixiang Resort in Anningqu Town, Urumqi High-tech Industries Development Zone (Xinshi District), is a well-known study travel instructor in the industry, and planning agricultural study travel activities is her specialty. Zhou Cheng, a runner of a homestay in Urumqi County of Urumqi City, has transformed himself into a leisure camping site housekeeper, successfully designed the camp's bubble rooms, bonfire evenings, and other activities. An increasing number of new professionals in rural tourism are writing wonderful stories in the countryside and contributing to rural development.

New professions generate new momentum of cultural travel

"As rural revitalization gains momentum in Xinjiang, China, the rise of new tourism professions showcases the vibrant growth of cultural tourism," said Duan Yuming, director of the Resource Development Division of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Currently, various places across Xinjiang are actively exploring ways to further improve rural tourism and how to help villagers transform their identities, reduce their dependence on traditional agricultural production, and join the vibrant development of rural tourism.

The popularity of rural tourism in China's Xinjiang can be glimpsed from several notable rankings and achievements. This year, eight rural tourism routes in Xinjiang, such as "Flower Blooming in Ili Valley: A Clear Day for Flower Appreciation and Adventure," "Xinjiang: A Journey to Discover the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Balikun," and "Xinjiang: An Exploration of the Ancient Villages along the Silk Road in Huolashan Mountain," were included in the "Beautiful Rural Scenery in Four Seasons: National Rural Tourism Quality Routes." Additionally, villages like Talate Village in Koktokay Town have been selected as key rural tourism villages nationwide. In China's Xinjiang, rural tourism products centered around "flower appreciation in spring, seeking coolness in summer, harvesting in autumn, and experiencing agricultural fun in winter," as well as the concept of "allow the people to be close to mountains and waters and recall their rural roots with fond memories," have become increasingly abundant.

The popularity of rural tourism has led to the emergence of new occupations, and these new professionals are, in turn, using their wisdom and efforts to nurture rural tourism, injecting new vitality and momentum into rural revitalization. Thanks to the planning of rural study travel instructors, the Midong District of Urumqi City attracts tens of thousands of tourists every year. In Huanghuang Village, Lucaogou Town, Huocheng County of Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, villagers have developed the rural tourism industry by leveraging local natural and cultural resources. By participating in training and learning skills such as homestay management and coffee brewing, they have transformed from farmers to new identities such as homestay housekeepers and rural baristas. These new occupations have not only increased villagers' income but also cleverly combined culture with tourism, attracting tourists and enriching villagers' spiritual and cultural life.

"The development trend of rural tourism in China's Xinjiang is very promising with its unique characteristics. Most rural tourism relies on the traffic flow of local core scenic spots, targets external tourists, and is supported by various tourism formats such as homestays, folk culture experiences, and catering. This provides more opportunities for local residents to return home for employment. These new occupations give everyone a greater sense of achievement and respect. With such a sense of belonging, everyone will work harder to promote the development of local rural tourism," said Song Yangyang, deputy director of the Research Institute of Creative Industries and Technology at Renmin University of China.

Photo shows Ou Donghua (second from left) with tourists. (Photo by Qiu Shanliao)

More new-type rural talents can take center stage in rural areas

Rural revitalization is not only a key national development strategy but also a vast stage for young people to display their talents and realize their dreams. A group of new professionals in rural tourism are playing a crucial role in promoting rural development and transformation, becoming the pioneer forces driving rural revitalization.

"New production factors, such as data, have penetrated into daily life. The continuously emerging new occupations reflect adjustments in people's mindsets and career choices, as well as new changes in economic formats and social divisions of labor," said Duan Yuming. The emergence of new industries and business models urgently requires the development of new occupations and the gathering of new talents to match new demands and adapt to new developments. By adopting new ideas and methods that continually emerge, rural tourism can have greater development space and stronger momentum.

"The emergence of new occupations is a necessity for promoting the specialized development of the agricultural industry and accelerating the construction of a modern rural industrial system," said Song Yangyang. Under the overall requirements of the rural revitalization strategy, which include "Prosperous industry, livable ecology, civilized rural culture, effective governance, prosperous life", it is necessary to continuously enrich tourism formats and tap into talents related to new occupations in rural tourism in Xinjiang. By providing them with fertile soil for growth, more new-type rural talents can take center stage in rural areas and turn their innovative ideas into the "golden key" for the development of rural tourism.

Song Yangyang suggests that policies should be introduced in time in areas such as entry thresholds, standard recognition, and industry supervision to create a favorable policy and employment environment for the development and growth of new occupations. Regular vocational education and skills training should also be conducted to enhance the capability of these occupation practitioners, clarify their career development paths, and make them more professional and individualized, so that they can better display their talents.

Duan Yuming stated that the emergence of new occupations requires relevant departments to continuously improve mechanisms for attracting, nurturing, retaining, and utilizing talents. Empowering professionals with a strong sense of identity and job fulfillment is essential. By doing so, we can retain those dedicated to developing rural areas and inspire greater confidence in those who wish to contribute. "I hope that new occupations can stimulate new momentum and open up new spaces, using the flow of talents to better nourish the fertile soil of rural areas and unfold a magnificent picture of rural tourism development."

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