Homestays in Deqing county, Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/hz66.com]

An international alliance aimed at promoting the certification of homestay services was established in Huzhou's Deqing county on Feb 24.

Seven certification companies became the alliance's first members.

According to an official at the Zhejiang Provincial Administration of Market Supervision, the facility's establishment will facilitate the service standardization of the homestay industry in China through certification.

The homestay industry in Deqing has undergone remarkable development in recent years. Mount Mogan, a renowned summer resort in the county, for example, has become one of the most popular homestay destinations in the nation.

In August 2022, Deqing initiated its certification for rural homestay services, becoming the first place in China to do so.

To regulate the growing market, Deqing has rolled out the nation's first guideline regarding certification for rural homestay services by teaming up with institutions such as the Zhejiang Institute of Standardization.

Last year, the application made by the county to make homestay housekeeper a new vocation was also approved by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.