FOR THE ALBUM: Salang (seated centre), Ik Pahon (seated second right) and Radiah (seated second left) in a group photo with some of the certificate recipients.
SARIKEI: Homestay operators in the state have been urged to be more sensitive to market needs, especially in creating packages and unique tourism products to attract more tourists.
Deputy Minister of Information, Communication and Culture Datuk Joseph Salang told operators in the rural areas that their daily activities like pepper farming, rubber tapping, planting and harvesting of paddy, poultry or animal rearing and fish catching could be an attractive package that they could offer.
He said they could also include cultural activities like learning traditional dances, cooking and songs.
“I am sure if you can have the activities in your package, you will be able to attract more tourists,” he said at the National Homestay Certificate presentation to 13 homestay operators at Rumah Nyuka Itam in Lubok Lemba, Ulu Sarikei here on Saturday.
Ministry of Tourism permanent secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik, state Tourism Ministry deputy director Radiah Muhamad and Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) Sibu executive Rudi Anoi were among those present at the function.
Salang, who is also Julau MP, also urged homestay operators registered with the Ministry of Tourism (MOT) to take every opportunity provided by the government to uplift their standard of living as it had a special provision to provide them with assistance to upgrade their facilities.
He cited the assistance as the upgrading of community halls, landscaping, upgrading of rural roads, signboards and more.
“I was informed that under the Tenth Malaysia Plan, MOT has approved a total of RM5.659 million for upgrading of 19 homestay facilities nationwide.
“I believe with your involvement in this programme, it will bring good income to the longhouses and villages,” he said.
Salang was happy to note that the homestay programme had been well received by the rural people.
To date, he said, Sarawak had 26 homestays in 30 villages registered with MOT – the highest in the country.
Rumah Nyuka is the first homestay registered with MOT in Sarikei Division.
The 45-door traditional Iban longhouse built from ‘belian’ (hardwood) is about 40 minutes’ drive from Sarikei town and about two hours’ drive from Sibu.
The dwellers of the 50-year-old longhouse are mostly pepper and paddy farmers as well as rubber tappers.
So far the longhouse had received 1,335 tourists, of whom 80 per cent were Europeans, since the homestay programme was started there in 2009.