Homestay off limits?

 Myanmar’s Hotels and Tourism Minister, U Htay Aung, says foreign visitors should only stay in private homes as a last resort to beat the shortage of hotel rooms.
He said it should be an emergency measure only as the manners and customs of foreigners are not appropriate and differ from how local residents live.
The minister  was quoted by local news reports as saying  foreigners did not properly understand Myanmar’s customs.
He argued that in Myanmar it is customary for members of a family to sleep facing the east. Foreigners show no interest in compass points when it comes to sleeping. However, the minister pointed out they are fussy about Myanmar style of meal hygiene, such as family members using their own spoons to ladle soup, or curry, from a communal bowl to their plate.
“Homestays are only suitable for foreigners when they visit very remote areas. Where there are hotels available, particularly in larger urban centres such as Yangon or Mandalay, homestay arrangements should not be permitted,” he said.
His comments were met by opposition from those who support homestay and claim it is a far more eco-friendly form of accommodation than what is provided by hotels.
Myanmar Tourist Guide Association’s Mandalay branch, Ko Thaung Naing Oo, said homestays would help to alleviate the country’s hotel shortage, but open communication is essential for the homestay to run smoothly.
“It is usually an option in some remote areas like Pauk and Myaing townships in Magwe region where there are no hotels. But tour operators need to inform their guests of the arrangements and customs before they go there.”
The current lack of adequate accommodation for visitors to Myanmar is a big concern, he said.
The country has about 30,000 hotel rooms. Another 10,000 more rooms will open by the end of this year across the country, although the main concentration of new rooms will be in Yangon initially to serve business travellers.
Hotels have been accused of overcharging and poor service and this has prompted the government to establish hotel zones to encourage international investment in new properties.
The government projects 7.5 million tourists by 2020. According a tourism ministry report, last year’s arrivals passed 1 million for the first time and tourism revenue reached US$700 million.

Sourced: ttrweekly