Kota Kinabalu: There are 459 homestay participants across 17 districts in Sabah which operate as a part of 37 clusters.
State Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said they always established continuous engagement with registered homestay operators.
“The Ministry always worked closely with the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (Motac) which is the coordinator of the Homestay programme in Malaysia,” he said.
Various courses had been offered by Motac to improve the skills of homestay entrepreneurs such as digital marketing, basic language, Malaysia-friendly and courses about the sustainability of nature and others, he said.
SPONSORED CONTENT Shell awards Sabah LiveWIRE winners Kota Kinabalu: Shell has awarded five enterprises as the state winners of Shell LiveWIRE Malaysia 2024, following the Sabah state finals held at Plaza Shell in Kota Kinabalu. . Read more “Motac also holds annual meetings with the homestay cluster coordinators to get feedback as well as about problems faced including current issues regarding scammers and fraud.
“To prevent such cases from occurring widely, Motac has developed a website, the Malaysian Homestay Programme, containing the list of homestay operators as a guide for users and tourists,” said Joniston when replying to Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob (PGRS-Sindumin) who asked about the coordination of infrastructure allocations for those interested in setting up homestays.
Joniston agreed with Dr Yusof’s suggestion, saying the trend among tourists now is “back to nature”.
“The Ministry has asked districts to activate each tourist’s action council to see potential that can be worked on.
“We will form a joint committee with the Rural Development Ministry (KPLB) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery and Food Industry to look at the needs.
“If upgrading works involve the scope of the KPLB for example, then we will see how we can cooperate.
“There is also agrotourism, like you said. Therefore, there should be a synergy between these ministries so that we can find ways forward.
“Motac is now in talks with the Chief Minister and surely these matters will be brought up. It’s also important for the Federal and State tourism ministries to be working very closely,” he said.
Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar (Umno-Lamag) asked if the State Government plans to reorganise the homestay operators in Kundasang.
“If a family only has three rooms, of course they no longer belong to those who are under poverty. So, how will the government benefit from these homestays throughout Sabah?
“Sabah is known worldwide for its beauty but its homestay organisation is not up to the standard.
“What are the efforts to reorganise Kundasang so that it continues to attract tourists from all over the country?” he asked.
Joniston replied that the Ministry has constant engagements with the Tourism Action Council, Sabah Homestay Association and Sabah Rural Tourism Association to find ways to upgrade where the Ministry could get Motac’s involvement.
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