MGTO announces feasibility study findingson family hostel

Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) announced the findings of the "Feasibility Study of Family Hostel" on 17 December.

MGTO held a briefing session on the result findings for the "Feasibility Study of Family Hostel". MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Deputy Directors Cecilia Tse and Cheng Wai Tong attended the briefing session.

During June and July in 2014, MGTO commissioned a research institute to carry out a feasibility study of family hostel. The study consists of an opinion poll (street and online survey) and case analysis. In addition, MGTO conducted an analysis on the regulations.

Opinion poll
A total of 2,243 samples were collected through street survey and online questionnaire. 2,028 interviewees came from the street and 215 from the Internet. Among the supporters (62% of interviewees), over 50% think that room prices are relatively cheaper in family hostels while 30% think that visitors can be offered more choices. Other reasons for support include that family hostels can enable visitors to experience Macau's local culture, entice a greater variety of visitors and extend their length of stay, etc. Among those who oppose family hostels (33% of interviewees), 70% concern primarily about public security issues which may arise from family hostels while other reasons for opposition include regulatory issues, surge of flat prices, traffic problem, etc.

Without any prerequisite, over half of the interviewees (62.5%) support the idea of family hostel. However, there is not a particular district in Macau considered as the most suitable district for family hostel establishment. Only the interviewees who live in Cathedral Parish and Coloane prefer having family hostels open in their own districts, while residents of other districts would rather no family hostel open in their districts. For those who support the establishment of family hostels, a greater percentage of them demand the fulfillment of the following preconditions: self-operation by practical user of premises (68.3%), limit set on total room number (75.1%), individual apartments with an independent access (71.8%), single-block buildings (80.5%) and amendments on current regulations about hotels and relevant business (69.2%). They also demand that before launching family hostels, the Government should make better planning including formulation of regulations and standards for family hostel establishment, as well as stipulation on location of family hostels; the Government should also carry out regulatory measures effectively, maintain public security and hygienic environment while sending inspectors on patrol.

Case analysis
Based on the situation in Macau, the research institute selected a range of cases for analysis from Hong Kong; Xiamen; Sanya; Taiwan, China; and Japan. The institute compared and analyzed the cases with regard to the relevant laws, stipulated limit on room number, building standards and requirements as well as management style of operators in their respective destinations. As a result, the study summarizes the challenges encountered and accomplishments achieved by these destinations during their policy enforcement of family hostels, to serve as reference for Macau.

Analysis points out that there is no singledefinition of family hostel. Family hostel is not equal to budget hostel; the existence of family hostel is based on a demand for complementary supplies to remedy room shortage of hotels or guest houses during peak travel season and in more remote regions; family hostels should be operated in single-block buildings, while their establishment should target visitors from different niche markets; relevant business guideline or regulations are required.

Legal analysis
MGTO conducted a study and analysis on the current legal framework of the Macau SAR and its regulations on establishment of family hostels. The Office also carried out a legal analysis on the feasibility of family hostel within the current regulations.

Analysis points out that the types of accommodation stipulated in Article No. 5, Clause No.1 of the Decree No. 16/96/M (New Regulation on permission for hotels and related business) do not include family hostel, as an accommodation type under study, within the current regulations of the Macau SAR; in other words, development of family hostels in Macau requires formulation of new regulations or amendments on the current Decree No. 16/96/M (New Regulation on permission for hotels and related business) as a prerequisite.

Conclusion
In summary, although over 60% of interviewees in the opinion poll support the idea of family hostel, they demand the fulfillment of numerous preconditions including the development conditions of family hostels and the Government's overall planning and effective supervision. Nevertheless, not many interviewees prefer having family hostels open in their own communities, and in general they worry aboutissues of public security, hygiene, traffic, flat prices and so on. In other words, a thorough consensus of opinionhas not been formed on this widely-concerned subject about the development of family hostels in Macau. In addition, the current regulations and relevant supporting facilities do not meet the preliminary requirements to kick start the development of family hostels. MGTO will pay close attention to the market demand and supply of accommodation establishments of all types in the future. The study findings will serve as reference for future amendments and formulation of policies.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia