Home Stay Accommodation for Tourism Development in East Coast Economic Region

Abstract

Problem statement: Home stay program provided tourists multi ethnic life condition with cultural experiences and economic well beings for the local people. Malaysian home stay program differed from the other commercial home stay in the world. Home stay accommodation can create a scope to the local communities for active participation in tourism activities. Home stay accommodation might be a potential economic activity in the East Coast Economic Region (ECER). The study examined the potentialities of home stay accommodation for tourism development in ECER. The aim of the study was to analyze the overall situations of home stay accommodation in ECER from the perception of operators. Approach: The data of this study perceived from both the primary and secondary sources. A structured questionnaire had been used for data collection. In 2006, home stay accommodation was remaining 31 villages and in the year 2008 it spreads in 38 villages of ECER. Within this period, there were 482 and 648 home stay operators in this region. The necessary requirements for home stay operations are located; basic facilities; hygiene; safety and security. Results: There were some potentialities are remaining in ECER for establishing home stay in this region. These were low charging, hospitality, motivation for young generation, women entrepreneurship, profitable investment, easy access and satisfactory income. Some initiatives such as government support, capacity building, develop facilities, appropriate act, Community involvement, loan facilities and infrastructure development might be taken for the home stay accommodations in ECER. Conclusion: Research initiatives, various services for customer satisfaction, sustainable marketing and proper policy in management had been considered for home stay development in ECER. Home stay accommodations would be ensured the economic advancement in this region as well as sustainable regional development.