Homestays - Community programme or alternative accommodation? A re-evaluation of concept and execution

Homestay programmes - which form a part of Community-based tourism (CBT) vital in the development agenda of Third World Countries- provide tourists with a unique opportunity to experience the atmosphere, lifestyle practices and activities of rural communities in the countryside. The Ministry of Tour...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inGeografia : Malaysian journal of society and space Vol. 11; no. 12
Main Authors Mapjabil, Jabil, Suriani Che Ismail, Badariah Ab Rahman, Masron, Tarmiji, Ismail, Ruzila, Rosmiza Mohd Zainol
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Bangi Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 01.01.2015
Subjects
Community-based programs
Countryside
Developing countries
LDCs
Lifestyles
Rural communities
Tourism
Visitors
Malaysia
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Summary:Homestay programmes - which form a part of Community-based tourism (CBT) vital in the development agenda of Third World Countries- provide tourists with a unique opportunity to experience the atmosphere, lifestyle practices and activities of rural communities in the countryside. The Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia has drawn up a set of guidelines and requirements for operating a homestay program that must be adhered to before approval is granted. The question that has arisen is whether homestay programs as practised in Malaysia truly present visitors with the opportunity to experience the host community’s lifestyle, or merely serve as an alternative form of accommodation. This article overviews the various scenarios and dilemmas faced in implementing the homestay programmes in the Malaysian context, the causes that lead to its ‘abuse’, and some practical solutions that may be proposed to address the arising issues and challenges in an integrated manner.
ISSN:2180-2491
2180-2491