In a statement, the ministry said accommodation providers must register as tourist accommodation premises (PPP) in line with the Tourism Industry Act 1992.

The ministry said only 4,771 premises have registered as PPPs, and that action could be taken against those who did not comply with the law.

Registration can be done online through the tourism licensing and enforcement system (TOURLIST), it said.

The ministry said registering accommodation premises as PPPs would help control the growing number of residential properties being converted into homestays.

“This was also to avoid some of these premises from becoming a point of transit for criminals because there is no guest registration nor guest records maintained, unlike in hotels,” the ministry said.

Another benefit, according to the ministry, was that premises which have been registered as PPPs are eligible to enjoy various incentives including tax breaks and financial assistance among others.