Pingtan, China's second international tourism island in Fujian Province, has seen a surge in the popularity of "rental tourism" – a key form of the sharing economy – among visitors. This trend, mainly evident in digital device rental and shared wardrobes, is enhancing the overall travel experience for those visiting the island.

Shared wardrobe manager pictured organizing hats

Digital Device Rental: Low-Cost Access to Professional Gear

With a strong demand for capturing travel memories , most tourists to Pingtan are reluctant to spend a hefty sum on professional digital equipment. Rental services have thus become an ideal choice, offering affordable prices and the chance to try gear from different brands.

"Every time I travel, I rent different camera equipment. It's convenient and cost-effective," said Zhang Tong, a tourist from Quanzhou.

This year, the booming digital device rental business in Pingtan has attracted many merchants. Searching for "camera rental" with Pingtan as the location on online platforms reveals numerous stores offering a variety of equipment, including drones, SLR cameras, and panoramic cameras. Additionally, service providers from nearby cities like Fuzhou can deliver equipment via mail.

Chen Shuaikai, a junior college student majoring in drone technology and passionate about photography, owns a range of digital devices. In October 2024, he started renting out his idle equipment on online platforms. "It not only makes good use of my unused gear but also helps me meet people with similar interests," he noted. The rental process is facilitated through third-party platforms, where renters pay a deposit. In case of equipment damage, a professional organization assesses the damage, and repair costs are deducted from the deposit to protect the owner's interests. 

Shared Wardrobes: Eco-Friendly, Economical and Convenient

A shared wardrobe store in Honghu Village, Pingtan, offers over 500 sets of clothing, mostly in a beach vacation style, with new styles to be added based on trends. All clothes are washed and disinfected after each use to ensure hygiene.

Liu Fangling, a tourist from Sanming, used to spend nearly 1,000 yuan on three long dresses for a trip, which ended up being unused afterward. "Now, renting clothes saves me money, eliminates the trouble of storage, and allows me to wear new styles," she said.

He Yuanyuan, a tourist from Guangzhou, praised the store's wide range of styles. "The red long dresses suitable for taking photos by the sea have good rental prices, and they even provide straw hats and accessories for free," she added.

The rental prices are appealing: 35 yuan for one set, 60 yuan for two sets, and 88 yuan for three sets, with all styles in the store available for selection. The store also provides simple makeup tools, with no hidden costs or time limits. A deposit of 100 to 200 yuan is collected, which is returned on the spot when the clothes are returned.

Chen Ting, a tourist from Hangzhou, commented, "The shared model is economical and avoids waste, which fits the lifestyle of young people."