Fighting against poverty has always been a daunting and lasting mission in China. Among various sectors in the economy, tourism has played a key role in the national poverty alleviation endeavor. Especially in many central and western provinces, rural tourism has helped boost the local economy and achieve rural revitalization.

By telling five real-life stories, the microfilm series "Better Tourism, Better Life, Better World", co-produced by World Tourism Alliance and CGTN, showcases how poverty-stricken areas in China have been lifted out of poverty via the country's tourism development.

Sitting next to the Longji rice terraces, a popular tourist site in Longsheng County, Guilin City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, people of Jinjiang Village once struggled with a weak economy and the outflow of its local population. 

In 2017, only 38 households with a total of 168 people remained in the stockade village.

The situation got improved when a rural homestay program was launched that year. At first the villagers hesitated at providing their houses due to their doubt to the project. But they eventually agreed to have a try.

Two homestay properties were then built, turning traditional stilt-style buildings into modern houses equipped with quality facilities but with distinctive folk cultural characteristics as well. Woman villagers Pan Juhua, Liao Yanhui and Pan Yanxue have been working as housekeepers since then. The homestay program has brought them new job opportunities with better pay.

In order to showcase the original lifestyle of the village, the natural environment, architectural landscape and ethnic culture have been well preserved. Meanwhile, the local resources have been further explored to develop tourism products, offering visitors unique homestay experiences.

Now the properties have been visited by an increasing number of tourists, both domestic and foreign. Through the introduction of a new model of poverty alleviation through tourism tied with shared economy, the village has taken the first step towards rural revitalization.

Today there are six homestay properties in operation, and the average monthly income of the villagers has increased by 50 percent.