BINTULU: The inclusive tourism industry encourages local communities, especially rural residents, to engage in income-generating activities including as homestay operators.
The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said that his ministry remains committed to raising awareness about homestays and is ready to provide advisory assistance to rural residents who are interested in engaging in such activities.
He said that the tourism industry has been one of the main contributors to the country’s income for the past decade.
“In 2022, the tourism industry has recorded a contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 14 per cent with a value of RM92.7 billion.
“Besides that, until the first quarter of 2023 which is from January to March this year, foreign tourist expenditure has generated more than RM49 billion with the arrival of 18.1 million tourists where it exceeded the initial target of 16.1 million tourists,” he added.
He said this during the MOTAC Homestay Briefing Programme with the Community at Rumah Lampoh Dana, Sungai Mas here on Saturday.
Meanwhile, according to director of the Sarawak Department of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Debbie Jenggut Nyelang, such a programme is important in giving awareness to the people of Sarawak, especially regarding the importance of homestay programmes that have the potential to increase the income of rural residents, especially those living in longhouses.
According to Debbie, Sarawak recorded a total of 49 registered clusters out of a total of 215 clusters of homestays so far this year.
