MOTAC's Homestay Programme Gives Tourists True Local Experience

PUTRAJAYA, April 18 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia Homestay Experience Programme organised by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) gives tourists the opportunity to interact and participate in the daily activities of the village community, said its minister Mohamaddin Ketapi. He said the homestay concept which was said to be deceiving customers and advertised on social sites, as reported by the media, was not referring to MOTAC’s Homestay programme. "No foul play or fraud is involved in genuine homestay business as the operators run their business with integrity,” he said in a statement Wednesday. He was commenting on a newspaper report on a syndicate advertising homestay accommodation in other people’s properties to get victims to pay a deposit. According to the report, the syndicate members who disguised as homestay agents and had been active for the past three years, were believed to have earned earn up to RM3 million. Mohamaddin said companies or individuals believed to be involved in such fraudulent activities should be investigated. "Tourists who are interested in participating in homestay programmes are advised to contact the homestay operators directly instead of going through other parties," he said. "If there are doubts in the business transaction report directly to us at MOTAC or lodge a police report,” he said. -- BERNAMA