Sabah Homestay Association earned RM4.3mil in tourism receipts

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Homestay Association earned RM4.3million in tourism receipt last year and is optimistic that the revenue will keep on increasing this year.

Its secretary Duanis@Djuanis Mogirong said that there was high demand from tourists and locals to be involved in homestay programme in the state. Most of their clients are from Europe, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore as well as from Peninsular Malaysia.  “Sabah is blessed with its nature with unique flora and fauna, other than we also have multiethnic and multicutural people which attract the people.

“Of course visitors also come to our homestays for the local and exotic food such as bamboo rice, pickles and others with ingredients that are only available in the forest ,”he said, adding that those products have improved the livelihood of the people.

At present, the association has 16 homestays across the state registered under the Tourism ministry. “As tourism is key pillar of Sabah economy, it is important for homestays operators to work together with the ministry.

“Besides having guidance in providing value for money packages, members will have backup from government should anything bad happen to tourists,”Duanis explained, adding that complaints towards unregistered homestays would affect the grassroots-based business.

The association offers wide range of packages including mount-climbing, water-rafting, surfing, jungle trekking, wildlife watch, experiencing cultural diversity, among others.

Source: New Straits Times