KUALA LUMPUR: Homestay owners are hoping for more flexibility and relaxation in the eligibility requirements for applications under Budget 2022’s RM30mil matching grant for repairs.

       Malaysia Kampungstay and Homestay Association (MKHA) president Zohaime Muhamad Sori said the current restrictive conditions had caused some homestay owners to forgo applying.

       “For example, in our previous grants, we had to go through bureaucracy that was too rigid and burdensome. So, we hope that the eligibility requirements can be relaxed this time. However, we really appreciate the government’s concern in helping homestay owners provide better services to tourists, especially after almost two years of not being able to operate due to the pandemic,” he said.

       Under Budget 2022, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz announced that a total allocation of RM1.6bil was to be channelled through seven major initiatives to help the tourism sector which had been badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

       The RM30mil matching grant is for the purpose of repairs for homestay owners and the 738 budget hotels registered under the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.

       Malaysia Budget Hotel and Business Association deputy president Dr Sri Ganesh Michiel said he hoped that the government would be more concerned about the industry as it would take a long time to recover despite the pandemic being currently under control in the country. — Bernama