Homestays banned in Burma

13th August 2013

Travellers looking for a room in Burma will have to look to its hotels, as the country's government bans homestays in a bid to preserve local customs

Burma's new-found popularity has left the country in an accommodation crisis. The widespread desire to visit the country has far-exceeded its ability to host and its infrastructure is struggling to cope. In the former capital, Rangoon, there is a mere 8,000 hotel rooms with the rest of the country offering less than 20,000. In contrast, last year, one million tourists visited Burma.

Locals offering a room to lodgers seemed to form a solution, however this will soon be banned on the grounds that visitors do not follow Burma's social customs. U Htay Aung, Minister for Hotels and Tourism, described the manners of foreigners as "not acceptable". He said: "[Visitors] do not properly follow Myanmar customs, such as sleeping facing the east, and do not like the Myanmar style of eating, such as a family using one spoon to eat from a single bowl of soup." The Minister added that in rural areas where there are no hotels exceptions will be made for visitors.

By law, those visiting Burma and staying in hotels must register with local authorities; some say the decision has also been influenced by the government's desire to keep track of travellers.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/08/14/homestays-banned-in-burma/