This indigenous entrepreneur boosts income through tourism

Fu Wenhui, an indigenous entrepreneur, explains how she has experienced economic growth in just three years (Photo/ Joseph S. Margai)

The development of a touristic site in Dadi village, carried out by the Liupanshui Municipal Government in Southwest China’s Guizhou Province, has boosted the livelihood of an indigenous entrepreneur, who is now making a yearly income of 90,000 Chinese Yuan, approximately $13,157.

Liupanshui government officials, under guidelines of the Communist Party of China (CPC), developed the touristic site in a bid to alleviate poverty in the village and subsequently boost the economic status of those that live there.

Fu Wenhui, a villager who is native to the area, is a proud beneficiary of the Chinese government’s poverty alleviation strategies. She said that due to an influx of tourists to the Liupanshui Plum Blossom Mountain Ecological Cultural Tourism area, she has been able to make a better income.

“Before I relocated my enterprise to Dadi village, I was making, at most, 30,000 RMB a year, approximately $4,385. But since I’ve been doing business here, I have seen a significant transformation in the economic growth of my business, which has subsequently improved my economic status. I now make as much as 90,000 RMB in profit every year,” she explained.

Chen Yan and her colleagues work on the garden which transformed their economic status (Photo/ Joseph S. Margai)

Fu noted that her peak season is between March and June every year. “During this period of the year, more tourists will visit this village to see the beautiful scenery and experience the cable way, etc.,” she said.

She revealed that she sells local noodles, which many tourists are fond of eating, fried potato and a variety of other special snacks and beverages, adding that she also prepares food on demand for tourists and other workers in the touristic site.

Fu, who is now enjoying steady economic growth from her enterprise, recalled that previously, she sold beverages on the streets of Liupanshui city. However, she moved back to her village three years ago, shortly after the tourist site was developed, to open up her own stall.

Fu is not the only person to benefit from the Liupanshui Municipal Government’s developed touristic site.

Inhabitants of all ages in Dadi village have gained employment in the industry, thereby enjoying their personal share of the national cake.

Chen Yan, a 34-year-old woman, who works in the flowering gardens of the site, said she earns a monthly salary of 2,000 RMB, approximately $293. While on duty, she took some time out from her busy schedule to express her sincere gratitude to the Chinese government for creating a job that has positively transformed her economic status.

The 34-year-old, who was previously a house wife and has three children, revealed that she now works eight hours a day, with three rest days each month.