The folklore industry has been growing rapidly in recent years, but there are also many problems in its prosperous appearance. Some brands, for example, have relied on the development of B&Bs that have been more successful in other regions, without taking into account local conditions, and often end up failing to achieve better results. In Guizhou and Jiangsu, on the other hand, a new model of folklore development with content at its core is gaining popularity.
Take Murakami-Changyangli, for example, a B&B located in Miaotou Village, Pingwang Town, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province. Since 2017, a team from the CunShang For example, Pingwang Town is civilised by Pingwang Spicy Sauce and the process of making it has been named an Intangible Cultural Heritage by government authorities. Therefore, Murakami chose to work with local residents to open the Pingwang Hot Sauce Experience in the B&B, where guests can experience the steps of making traditional Pingwang hot sauce and get a taste of the local culture, while also having the option to purchase ready-made products. This way of operation not only enriches the user experience, but also gives a good boost to the local industry. In addition, most of the B&B service staff, such as cooks and room cleaners, are recruited from the local area, which reduces costs to a certain extent while providing re-employment opportunities for local middle-aged and elderly people.
Not only that, but in other areas, the Murakami brand is also being explored and progressed. In a small village, Changyangli has a variety of activities such as a picnic spot, a fruit and vegetable garden, a KTV and a tea room, allowing family-oriented customers to enjoy a holiday with an idyllic atmosphere. This new content-driven B&B model offers a more multi-layered experience than traditional B&Bs that rely on popular attractions to attract customers.
The Craftsman's Lodge - CunXiao in Anshun, Guizhou, is a slightly different development from the Village on the Yangliang, where an entire ancient village of the Buyi people has been renovated internally while maintaining its original appearance. This approach has allowed for the preservation of the traditional culture and customs of the area, allowing guests to experience the original ecology and lifestyle of the area. In addition, Village Dawn has also introduced an innovative blend of local traditions and customs. Batik is a unique local technique in Guizhou, where the artisans extract pigments from natural plants to make blue and white clothes, and is an intangible cultural heritage. In the villages of the Buyi people, guests, especially children, have the opportunity to learn this skill and make their own batik clothes. Guests can also choose from a wide range of batik clothes to buy. Like Changyangli, this is a way of preserving and developing traditional culture and preserving the flame of traditional skills that are now being lost.
