Rabu, April 22, 2009

TOP HOMESTAY PLANS WILL GET 7-STAR STATUS

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KUALA LUMPUR: Kampung homes that offer the most creative homestay packages and activities may earn seven-star status, and the support of the Tourism Ministry to boost their businesses.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said the ministry planned to introduce an informal star rating to help those who run homestay projects to improve.

"We have about 250 home stay programmes nationwide but only a few are attractive. We will pick the good ones and help develop their products."

These would then act as role models for others, she said.

The ministry does not plan to fix rates according to the star system, she said, as it was up to the homestay operators to offer programmes and activities at rates that suited the package.

The operators of the selected homes will also receive information and communication technology training to strengthen their promotions.

The ministry plans to promote homestays to students, starting with those from China.

"China is in our top five market. We will meet ministers, agencies, the media and airlines to promote our holiday packages during our working visit to several provinces starting tomorrow."

Some 900,000 Chinese tourists visited the country last year. The ministry expects this number to increase to one million this year.

"We are also looking at developing secondary Chinese markets such as Chengdu, Xian and Shen Yang to boost arrivals," she told a news conference after her ministry's monthly assembly yesterday.

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