Hu Sixun, 27, is a study tour mentor in Tonggu county, a famous Red tourism destination in East China's Jiangxi province.

"Many people assume that my job is the same as a tour guide, but they are different positions," Hu said.

"Our target audience are students from primary and middle schools. In addition to a guide, we need to serve as a teacher during trips to improve their learning and help them build hands-on capabilities," she added.

Gao Hongmei, a study tour mentor in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, said her duties include planning activities and courses based on children's needs and the scenic spots.

"A study tour not only entertains but informs. We must take different approaches for children of different ages to arouse their interests and make the learning process more enjoyable," Guo said.

While the industry is still at the initial stage, Hu is optimistic about its prospects.

Last month, study tour mentors were recognized as a new profession in the culture and tourism industry by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

It is not only an acknowledgment of practitioners in the field but will create more options for university graduates, Hu said.

Wang Linong, vice-president of the School of Life Sciences at Anhui Normal University, said the new role emerges as the society and people require it.

It is conducive to boosting domestic hands-on education, which is often underrated during the basic education stage, Wang said.

Study tours have gained huge popularity in recent years, partly due to China's "double reduction" policy, which is aimed at easing the burden of excessive homework and off-campus tutoring on primary and middle school students.

A mother surnamed Song from Nanjing, Jiangsu province, said that her 9-year-old son now has more time for extracurricular activities and she expects these to offer fun and educational experiences.

Song therefore accompanied her son on a study tour to the Wuyi Mountain Nature Reserve in Fujian province. "More than admiring scenery, the mentor told children how to identify rocks and some plant species in the reserve," she said.

Wang added that study tour mentors are what the emerging industry needs most now.

As the industry thrives, it will require a growing number of professionals in the future, indicating a broad employment prospect, he said. "The recent recognition of the occupation will further promote talents' cultivation and development."

Data from the China Tourism Academy showed that the number of study tour companies has soared over the past few years; it exceeded 30,000 in 2021.

According to Wang, the country now has nearly 100 colleges and universities offering the program of study tour management and services. Their graduates will become a major force for the industry, he said.

[email protected]