Taiwan Tourism Bureau launches hostel certification system

Tourism Bureau launches hostel certification system

The Tourism Bureau yesterday announced it had launched a certification system to ensure that hostels provide quality services to their customers.

Statistics from the bureau show there are more than 3,000 legal hostel operators in Taiwan. However, disputes have arisen in recent years after customers complained that service was not the same as that promised in information the operators had posted online.

I think that Taiwan is an amazing destination for backpackers. It's one of my favorite places. One thing that is going to be confusing for travelers is that, in Taiwan, they translate the word "ming-shu" or "ming-su" into "hostel", when it doesn't mean "hostel" in English--I think it is more of a "homestay".

When backpackers ask for a "hostel" they are going to get directed to a ming-shu/homestay, and it's not going to be what they are looking for.

See also:

• What is a hostel?
• Definition of hostel