Sabah Homestay Association eyes RM3.7 million in receipts this year

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Homestay Programme is expected to remain bullish this year, where RM3.7 million in receipts are projected from the 16 programmes involving 209 houses in the state.

Sabah Homestay Association president, Jeffry Yahya, said this year, it expected the receipts to increase by at least 50 per cent from last year’s target of RM2.5 million.

“Last year, we were ranked number one in Malaysia. To date, we have seen a 35 per cent increase compared with the first quarter of last year. So we are off to a good start.

“The increase is seen in the number of participating tourists and receipts recorded,” he told reporters after the launch of ‘365 Days Celebration with Homestay Sabah’ brochure here yesterday.

He said only one or two homestay operators here were affected by the Japanese earthquake as the majority of them catered to European market.

On the claims by Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen of the existence of illegal homestay operators, Jeffry said this happened a few years back because there was no official Homestay logo.

He said the association has the logo now and starting this year, it would be easier for tourists to identify between a genuine and illegal operator.

Earlier, Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Seri Dr Tengku Zainal Adlin, said last year, 17,558 tourists, both local and foreign, had a taste of the ‘kampung’ lifestyle through the homestay programmes.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Sabah Homestay Association eyes RM3.7 million in receipts this year
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Borneo Native Homestay and Tours to intensify promotion

PENAMPANG: Borneo Native Homestay and Tours (BNHT) will be intensifying its promotion of homestay packages in Sabah.

It is currently focusing on Kampung Tombung in Kiulu where more than 60 houses have been identified to be part of the homestay programme.

“We want to push the homestay business to a higher level and have therefore, signed a contract with the villagers there to set up a Homestay Association,” BNHT managing director Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau said.

The homestay programme in Kampung Tombung will be combined with other tour packages like white water rafting in Kiulu and mount climbing, he said during the launching of BNHT website here recently.

“We are also value adding the package by providing informative tourist guides. Let me stress that we are not merely selling a tour package and accommodation, we are selling the experience of living in a village,” he said.

The visitors will actually participate in the daily activities of their ‘host’ of the homestay such as cooking, cleaning, farming, feeding the animals and even activities like fishing, he added.

Continue reading at: Borneo Native Homestay and Tours to intensify promotion
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Welcome To 'Homestay Without Package' In Sabah

KOTA KINABALU -- Nowdays the 'homestay' programme is getting popular in Malaysia's local tourism industry including that in Sabah which is also known as 'Land Below The Wind'.

Among the districts in Sabah that offers this programme is Kota Marudu where some 1,000 people from 12 ethnic groups are taking part in the homestay programme that began in 2008.

Sabah National Unity and Integration Department (JPNIN) officer Jessica Basat said the homestay programme in Kota Marudu can be seen as a positive move to enhance relations between the guests and hosts.

The guests who are Malaysians from the peninsula can also exchange cultures and traditions with their Sabah hosts.

"This programme is on demand by the local community and it is unique as the programme is devoid of any packages as the activities are decided by the hosts and visitors.

"We encourage the villagers to be involved in the homestay programme as Kota Marudu has the potential to be developed as a key tourist destination," she said.

HOMESTAY WITHOUT PACKAGE

The 'without package' homestay programme refers to activities that have no limits and the hosts as well as guests take part in drawing up the activities during the stay. These activities are suited to the guests needs and requests.

What is important is the understanding and experience on the culture and socio-economy of the local community which is made up from people of various ethnic groups. This helps to preserve unity among the population.

Via the integration visits organised by JPNIN, the homestay programme can act as the platform to enhance relations between the people of Sabah and those from nationwide.

The homestay programme also creates positive impact by improving the economy of the rural community in Sabah.

HOLIDAY PACKAGE IN SABAH

Meanwhile, Sabah is well known for its rich natural treasures right from the state's mountains and down to its valleys. As well as the expanse of land between its lush forests to its off-shore attractions.

Its life forms include insects as small as ants right until mammals as big as the Orang Utan and pygmy elephants.

Apart from the homestay packages in Kota Marudu, visitors can also go to Kudat, located some 190 km from Kota Kinabalu.

They can visit Tanjung Simpang Mengayau in Kudat which is known as the Tip of Borneo, the tip of land at the most extreme north in Sabah's map. It is located some 200 km from Kota Kinabalu and 30 minutes drive from Kota Marudu.

Tanjung Simpang Mengayau is formed by a 'chain' of hills that headed towards Laut Sulu. It offers breathtaking scenes during dawn and dusk.

In the language of the Rungus in Kudat, Tanjung Simpang Mengayau is called 'Tanjung Sampang Mangazo'. 'Tanjung' means cape, 'Sampang' means junction and 'Mangazo' means war.

Continue reading at: Welcome To 'Homestay Without Package' In Sabah
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