Covid-19 blamed for slow interest
Almost 600 properties have been registered to provide Homestay accommodation this year.
The Department for Enterprise says around 586 are offering bed spaces – still considerably lower than three years ago.
Last month government revealed that people who'd committed to the scheme wouldn't be able to apply to host Ukrainian refugees.
Minister Alex Allinson says he believes people have been hesitant to sign-up for Homestay due to uncertainty around Covid-19: