YOUNG GENERATION MUST USE ICT TO PROMOTE HOMESTAY

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- Youngsters in rural areas must apply
their expertise in information and communication technology (ICT) to help
promote the homestay industry.

Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen said with the expertise available
among youngsters, they need not go elsewhere to seek employment as venturing
into the homestay industry can generate economy.

"Homestay is an attractive tourism product that has been in existence in the
country for a long time but we have a problem in promotion since it requires a
huge amount of finance.

"But with the availability of ICT, we hope the younger generation can
contribute in the aspect of promotion," she told reporters after launching
go2homestay.com service for Blackberry and iphone users here Wednesday.

She said there were about 3,000 homestays in 150 villages throughout the
country with occupancy rate of 20 percent.

Ng added that her ministry hoped to increase the tourism industry's homestay
income from 0.7 percent in 2007 to five percent by 2020.

She added that through the go2homestay.com service, information on the 138
homestays registered with the ministry, can be obtained through blackberry and
iphone.

-- BERNAMA



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