An assessment of homestay operators in the state of Terengganu

Abstract

Tourism sector in Malaysia is offering various destinations, activities, and product to tourists from both national and international origins. Tourism is one of the more important commercial activities driving the national economy towards greater success, namely by contributing to about 13% towards national growth, quantified as Gross National Product (amounting to some RM153 worth of outputs). Agro-tourism is beyond just a tourist product as it includes many services that accompany the product. It is a way of understanding the journey as a new sensation or positive behavior in relation to the environment, the community, and their culture. It also one of the diversified sub-sectors provide opportunities and choices for rural community, commonly associated with agricultural activities to enhance and maintain their economic sustainability. This research focuses on the quantification of tourism sector income specifically related to homestay program. This is an area mostly void of literature, especially those within the Malaysian contexts. Therefore, the research aims at exploring the vitality and robustness of agro-tourism based homestay activities in Terengganu, a state which is rich with natural resources and cultural heritage. Four objectives have been developed based on the gaps highlighted by a thorough search of literature. First, is to assess the homestay operators and motivational factors of participation in homestay program in Terengganu. Second, is to examine the location, distribution, and quality of homestay in Terengganu. Third, to assess the factors leading the successful homestays program in Terengganu. Finally, to provide recommendations on how to elevate the income from homestay program while facing the unstable income from the agriculture sector in Terengganu. In order to produce concrete analysis, the quantitative data has been collected for this research. There are 76 of respondents (Homestay operators) have participated in the interview session that is conducted in Terengganu. The finding shows that majority of homestay operators agree on the reason for their participation in homestay program is due to interest and they are not totally depending on tourists’ income to sustain their living. Besides, it is found that tourists’ preferences of stay in Terengganu homestay are influenced by the location, distribution, and quality of homestay program. Furthermore, the third finding is the challenges faced by homestay operators affect the successful homestay in Terengganu. Lastly, several recommendations have been made in order to stabilize the income generated from agriculture sector. Keywords: Homestay, Agro-tourism, Homestay operators, Tourism, Terengganu