Expert: Homestays not aligned with BET fail
JOHOR BARU: Many new homestay owners fail to reach their target audience because they do not align themselves with the business, education and tourism (BET) concept.
MyCribBooking.com founder Akmal Nizam Abdul Halim said the concept for homestay should be in line with BET.
He said homestay owners who did not employ the BET concept when starting out their business had committed a huge mistake and this might be the reason for their business’ failure to gain income or profit.
“Before purchasing a property to be turned into a homestay, you must ensure it is compatible with the BET concept so that the property will attract customers.
“Choose a location that can generate income,” he said during his talk on the last day of the MyRumah 2018 property showcase organised by the New Straits Times Press at Komtar JBCC here.
Akmal Nizam said if mistakes were made at the initial stage, such as choosing the wrong location, the business would not meet the market requirement.
“However, if they have made that mistake, they can correct it by thinking of a unique element to promote that may make people want to stay in their homestay.
“With the unique element, customers will rent the homestay not because of the BET concept, but to enjoy the new experience of staying in a unique property. An example is container homes,” he said.