Boom time for homestay operators

2009/10/21

BUKIT MERTAJAM: The homestay industry enjoyed an 80 per cent growth in tourist arrivals for the first eight months of this year compared with the same period last year, generating a turnover of RM6.5 million.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said the number of tourists staying in 3,279 homestay houses in 140 villages nationwide increased from 57,658 to 102,934 people during the period.

The turn-over for the sector in the first eight months of last year was RM3.3 million.

She said although the government was happy with the growth, more had to be done to create value-added services.

Ng urged the homestay operators to keep on creating innovative authentic kampung lifestyle tour packages.

For instance, she said the ministry was helping operators to introduce foot reflexology services to generate more income.

Apart from aggressive campaigns to attract more tourists, homestay operators should also be creative in getting repeat customers, she said after visiting the Mengkuang Titi homestay in Penanti here yesterday.