KUCHING, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- Sarawak’s homestay industry generated RM4.95 million in revenue from January to September this year while attracting 41,168 visitors during the period.
Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Deputy Minister II Datuk Snowdan Lawan told the Sarawak State Assembly that there are currently 57 homestay clusters, with 746 operators and two “kampungstay” clusters in the state.
“Three operators are registered under the (federal) Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC).
“The total number of rooms available is 1,587 for homestays and 30 rooms for kampungstays,” he said, replying to Datuk Dennis Ngau (GPS-Telang Usan) during the assembly’s question and answer session here today.
Snowdan said his ministry had actively supported a variety of food festivals and programmes that promoted Sarawak heritage cuisines domestically and internationally through its tourism event grant and the facilitation fund for heritage, arts and culture.
Among them were “Pesta Nuba Laya” in Limbang, Samarahan Food and Cultural Festival, Betong Food and Art Festival, Kuching Intercultural Mooncake Festival, “Pesta Makan Tahun Kedayan” (Limbang), “Pesta Nukenen” (Bario), Taste of Borneo (Miri) and Moon Cake Festival (Siniawan, Bau).
Snowdan said the registration and management of homestay programmes fall under MOTAC, which had allocated RM2.11 million for 15 projects under the 12th Malaysia Plan to upgrade public facilities within homestay clusters to strengthen tourism potential in rural areas.
He said his ministry, meanwhile, focussed on community development programmes aimed at elevating the quality of services provided by homestay operators and local communities.
“Among the training courses held are basic hospitality, marketing and digital marketing, product packages, event management, craft-making and safety, and life-saving skills training,” he said.
In addition, he said the Sarawak Craft Council supported local artisans through digital marketing and craftsmanship preservation programmes, enhancing product quality and market adaptability.
“These interventions are aimed towards improving their product quality, product diversification and adaptability to market demand,” he added.
-- BERNAMA
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