Some 900 homestay establishments are operating without any endorsement from the Tourism Ministry, its minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said.
Although the local councils have the authority to issue a license to any operator intending to set up a homestay programme, she urged operators of homestay establishments to register with the ministry to help tourists differentiate between bogus and genuine homestay establishments.
In return, the genuine operators will be provided with Home Stay Malaysia trademark logos.
“We cannot take action against these operators as there is no law to compel them to register with us.
“Tour agencies and tourist guides should recommend homestay establishments which are given the special emblem issued by the ministry to be used as an identification mark,” she said after chairing a meeting with state tourism industry players here yesterday.
Dr Ng said the ministry had detected 107 homestay establishments in Pahang which had yet to register with the ministry.
In detailing the concept, Dr Ng said the term “homestay” required operators to stay within the vicinity and implement activities related to village lifestyles with their guests such as cooking, farming and fishing.
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