HOW TO START A HOMESTAY BUSINESS IN MALAYSIA
- Tips to start a homestay business in Malaysia
- Homestay business through Airbnb
- How the Malaysian Govt helps in Home Stay tourism
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A homestay is an inexpensive lodging option. It is perfect for independent leisure travellers or tourists who want to get a feel for the neighbourhood and local culture, as well as for those taking a quick city break and looking for inexpensive lodging and those going to an event (eg. London Marathon or conference, concerts, etc.). Each of our hosts has its own distinctive interests and pastimes, so guests may match up with a host who shares their interests to enhance their homestay experience. The people are what give a homestay its special appeal. A host is present at every homestay to greet visitors, provide direction, and support while they are there. The presence of a host to welcome visitors into their house is at the heart of the homestay experience. Our visitors get to know locals and have a genuinely local experience by meeting them. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to start a homestay business in Malaysia.
Tips to start a homestay business in Malaysia
Consider starting a homestay business in Malaysia if you want to increase your income while minimising your risk. The home-stay industry is a relatively low-cost emerging trend in Malaysia. It truly fits you if you are a foreigner because you can use it as a location to reside there as well. In Malaysia, starting a homestay business is fairly easy. Consider first purchasing your own land and building a basic, very affordable home in the Malay traditional style. You can consider checking out BEST COTTAGE CUM HOMESTAYS IN MALAYSIA.
Homestay business through Airbnb
Malaysia’s tourism industry is growing quickly. Every year, more tourists travel to Malaysia, and Airbnb is growing in popularity. You will have a fantastic opportunity to earn a lot of money by starting an Airbnb in Malaysia, especially during the holiday season. Airbnb has a fantastic opportunity to grow in Malaysia. The largest hotel chain in the world advises renting out any empty space you have, from a single room to a whole house. You must, however, also be aware of the laws and customs of your community.
Register
You must first register on Airbnb’s website as a host before you can start hosting guests in Malaysia. Uploading pictures and information about the place you wish to rent can help you advertise your rental property. Once it has been marketed, visitors looking for lodging in the host region can examine the property. To find Airbnb listings, utilise the following criteria: location, dates of availability, pricing, amenities like breakfast, hot water, stove, etc., number of rooms, including bathrooms and balconies, view, host language, and extras like parking or road access. Make careful to provide all necessary information if you want to appear on a list of pertinent searches. The Airbnb website allows guests to speak with hosts directly prior to booking.
Ensure your safety
The host must be able to provide Airbnb with the required identification for security purposes. Due to the fact that Airbnb is a worldwide network of reliable relationships, this phase is crucial for both hosts and visitors. Without worrying about being recognised, travellers can make suggestions about their lodging and hosts can post feedback about their guests.
Fees are fixed
For security reasons, the host should be able to provide Airbnb with the necessary identification. This stage is critical for both hosts and travellers because Airbnb is a global community of trusted contacts. Travellers can provide recommendations about their accommodations, and hosts can leave reviews about their visitors without fear of being identified.
Understand the Laws
Make sure you are able to do so legally in Malaysia before deciding to become an Airbnb host there. Local laws vary from one city to the next, so what is legal in one place might not be legal in another. While some are more tolerant, certain provinces are resolute about not accepting paid guests. Some businesses will not accept any paying customers, while others will after taking an occupancy fee. A list of guidelines is provided by Airbnb in its Responsible Hosting and Legal and Regulatory Issues sections. If you live in an apartment, find out if you are allowed to host paying guests. The norms of society frequently forbid subletting, and landlords of apartments typically have restrictions that restrict who is permitted to sublease. Some Penang property owners were fined up to RM250 for hosting without a permit.
Make Financial Goals
Of course, when developing your business, you’ll think about the financial aspect as well. You must first decide if you want it to be your main source of income or a side gig. After making that choice, consider your target market and prospective earnings. The revenue from an Airbnb house depends on a number of factors, including demand, location, aesthetics, accessibility, and season. If you want to turn it into a full-time business, you should conduct a thorough analysis of rental costs in the neighbourhood where your home is located as well as the frequency of bookings for nearby Airbnb properties. You will also be liable for certain additional costs if you host guests on Airbnb. Among these are costs for upkeep, insurance, and business licences.
Boost Your Host Rating
Give an accurate description of your property, but also build a distinctive brand to set it apart from the competition. Your home needs to “sell,” so you must advertise it similarly. A fair price contributes to the improvement of your property. Customers will likely choose your property if it is the cheapest in the neighbourhood, which will lead to a regular flow of reservations. In the end, the rating of an Airbnb listing is comparable to that of a search engine: the higher it appears in the results, the more probable it is that visitors would select it. You can only achieve a high score, which will result in more business, by building trust with your visitors and giving them a satisfying experience.
How the Malaysian Govt helps in Home Stay tourism
- In 2016, 4 lakh guests were hosted in 5,900 homestay rooms scattered over 348 Malaysian communities, according to Mr Hamdan, president of the Malaysian Homestay Association. The $40 million in revenue from homestays throughout the course of the year helped the rural economy. He discussed how, in 1985, he was instrumental in bringing homestays to Malaysia (the concept set foot in Kerala in 2001).
- Desa Murni, the village where Mr Hamdan lives, is now home to 86 homestays. Kuala Lumpur is one hour drive away.
- From 1995 forward, the Malaysian government started to promote homestays and enhance their quality as a result of their popularity. To assure cleanliness and other essential facilities, the government issues registration certificates and performs inspections. Also required is a four-day training programme for homestay owners.
- Activities for visitors that are eco-friendly are prioritised. He went on to say that hoteliers do not view homestays as a threat to their company when explaining how they react to them. Many of our visitors also spend a day or two in motels.
Hope this guide helped you to understand how to start a homestay business in Malaysia.