Malaysia’s sustainable, community-based travel solution
As the resumption of international travel slowly moves from daydream to reality, the question on every travel industry professional’s lips is growing louder: What do post-COVID travellers want?
Well, we’ve got an answer that is not only tipped to be a big-time post-pandemic travel drawcard, it’s also great for the planet. Yes, we are talking about community-based tourism.
Before travel shut down, sustainable tourism was slowly going from a hugely popular trend to an industry requirement.
Now, as we prepare for the bounceback, there is a unique opportunity for the trade to seek out more sustainable, community-based tourism experiences that are fulfilling for travellers, and beneficial for the communities they visit.
To do this, the industry would do well to take inspiration from Malaysia.
A sustainable and authentic tourism alternative
Malaysia’s homestay experiences are not only a fantastic way for your clients to immerse themselves in the country’s diverse cultures, they’re also an innovative way to engage in tourism that directly benefits local communities.
In 1995, the Malaysian government set up a special homestay program to give tourists the opportunity to stay with a local family and learn about the culture and lifestyle of rural communities.
Through funding and grants from various government departments, the program also bolsters the country’s rural populations by providing infrastructure, training and extra income so villagers can stay in their homes instead of seeking jobs in cities.
How does it work?
The Ministry for Tourism has created a special set of regulations that must be followed by host families to ensure certain hygiene, safety, food prep and sustainability standards are being met so your clients can have an experience that is both authentic and risk-free.
Homestay experiences focus on kampung (village) lifestyle, including cultural and economic activities of local people, which differ from state to state.
Booking a homestay experience gives your client the opportunity to taste home-cooked delicacies, witness cultural dances, play traditional games and sports, and discover the simple pleasures of rural life.
Highlights
From the sumazau dance in Sabah to the longhouses in Sarawak, each state has its own unique cultural delights that are best experienced first-hand.
Here are a few of our favourites:
For those seeking a taste of city life, Banghuris Homestay is just 20-minutes from the bustling streets of Kuala Lumpur, nestled amongst bamboo groves.
Here, clients can harvest honey, visit a dragonfruit farm, harvest Liberica coffee cherries from a local coffee plantation and even learn how to make traditional remedies.
The award-winning Misompuru Homestay Kudat in Sabah has 200 packages for tourists, from Rungus tribe cultural dance performance to mangrove trekking, river cruise, snorkelling, bird watching, fishing, crab catching, cooking, camping and traditional games. The list is endless!
For something a little more luxe, Farmstay Relau offers spacious, air-conditioned chalets modelled off traditional Malay houses. Just 14 kilometres from Kulim city, the farmstay is situated amongst fruit farms, offering fresh, organic produce for guests to harvest and enjoy.
It also features a swimming pool, a mini zoo and a cafe.
Homestay JKKK Sungai Haji Dorani in Sungai Besar Selangor is tailored to offer adventure travel and farming experiences to schools and families.
There are loads of activities on offer including cycling, fishing, river cruise, a night tour around the village, playing traditional games, grating coconut, eel fishing, catching fish using bare hands (menggagau ikan) and having fun wallowing in the paddy fields.
Visitors can also ride a mini tractor to enjoy a village tour and see sprawling paddy fields.
Malaysia is ready to welcome your clients, once the time is right to travel again.
Learn more HERE.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
community-based travel Discover homestay local experiences malaysia sustainable travelLatest News
The Walshe Group Announces Two Key Appointments
What we really want to know is whether they got joint or separate welcome parties.
FAMIL: Agents explore the delights of Mauritius on 7-day tour
Go green with envy as you read this fabulous itinerary! Time to book that second honeymoon.
Hamad International recognised as world’s best airport at 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards
Hamad airport is so good it is almost considered a destination in itself. Ballina, up your game.
Saudi Arabia highlights tourism investment opportunities at global investment event
Now is the time to start looking at Saudi Arabia if you are not already. There's big things to come.
“Rampant” – Aussies warned as dengue fever cases spike in Bali
Worried about Bali belly? Now you have something else to worry about.
TTC Tour Brand reveals slew of deals across operators including Trafalgar and Contiki
Everybody loves a bargain and you could do lot a lot worse than check out these deals from TTC!
Fiji Airways partners with Porter Airlines in US growth bid
Any initiative that gets more people visiting the delights of Fiji is a good initiative.
Flight Centre launches CruiseHQ – a marketplace exclusively for agents
The cruise industry has surpassed pre-Covid levels so this isn't one to miss!
Feeling festive? Wendy Wu tours unwraps Christmas collection
Get the Christmas hols booked now and avoid spending it with that elderly relative with dubious political views.
OPINION: In a world of screens, we crave experience
If you get feelings of deep shame and regret when you see your screen time, don't worry - you're not alone.
Sun Princess: High-end dining and world class entertainment awaits
If you are a foodie and you are not currently on the Sun Princess, we really have to ask - what are you doing?
YouGov: 2 in 5 Aussies would pay more for a sustainable hotel
If you want to be REALLY sustainable you can go camping. You just might lose the will to live.
“Can planes swim?” – Planes become boats as Dubai Airport is savaged by severe storm
Unfortunately, "can planes swim?" is a real life question and not an opener to a really bad joke...
Explora journeys reveals bespoke outdoor furniture designed by Matteo Nunziati
This is making your plastic table and chairs look really bad now, isn't it?
Bangkok Airways targets growth with renewed Sabre deal
Two stories abut Sabre's growth in one week and its only Wednesday! Watchout world.
PR agency Example wins pitch for InterContinental Sydney
We also went in for the contract but they said that a 'Be Our Guest'- themed TikTok was unoriginal! The cheek.
Norwegian Cruise Line reveals culinary experience aboard Norwegian Aqua
Once again, this TW journalist REALLY regrets writing this before getting lunch.
Signature Queensland hosts luxury tourism event
Known for its tropical beaches and unique wildlife, Queensland also offers luxury.
Capella Sydney recognised in prestigious Travel + Leisure’s 2024 ‘it list’ of best new hotels
You know that 'it girl' at school who everyone wanted to hang out with? Capella is the hotel version of that.
Rex launches 72-hour fare sale with NO school holiday blackout so you can take your kids (if you want to)
Sadly, leaving your children at home whilst you go on holiday is generally frowned upon.
Adventure World offers chance to connect with “heart and soul” of the US
I mean who hasn't dreamed of a road trip around the US?! Go with Adventure World and you're less likely to get lost.
Fiji’s family-owned luxury resort Likuliku Lagoon launches its own app
We were relieved to find out that having a "concierge in your pocket" referred to an app on your phone.
Hawaii: The US’ laid-back front door for Australians
If you needed another sign that you should definitely head to Hawaii - this is it!
Sabre targets Asia Pacific growth with latest hire
Call the Avengers! Sabre continues its bid for world domination with latest hire.
Air New Zealand signs its largest EVER deal for sustainable aviation fuel
Air New Zealand makes huge step towards sustainable travel. We bet it recycles its rubbish properly too.
IHG Hotels & Resorts continues regional growth with Sunshine Coast Holiday Inn
This Holiday Inn looks considerably flashier than some of the ones we have stayed at in our time.
Budget carrier Scoot welcomes first of 9 E190-E2 aircrafts
Here at TW we would like to offer Embraer E190-E2 a warm welcome! It's not easy being the first of the fleet.
Singapore Airlines grows group passenger traffic by 13.9% for March
This is one of the few situations where an increase in traffic is a good thing.
Number of Aussies going on cruises beats pre-pandemic levels
To be honest, if being stuck inside for two years doesn't give you the travel bug, then nothing will.
Vietjet slashes prices on flights across Vietnam, India & Australia
You can now fly to Vietnam for less money than a night out in Sydney or Melbourne. Time to reconsider the budget.
The Australian Hotels Association (WA) names accommodation excellence award winners
Think blowing up the airbed for your mate qualifies as accommodation excellence? Think again.
Abercrombie & Kent launches Peruvian riverboat tour
If you think being left at a port is scary? Imagine being stuck in the Amazon.
Club Med Bali reveals last-minute group travel deal
If you haven't frolicked across a beach in Bali with your colleagues have you even lived?
Regent Seven Seas Cruises grows sales team across Australia & New Zealand
It is only Monday and Regent Seven Seas Cruises is already announcing hires. Great stuff!
Out of the Ordinary Outback offers caravanners and campers a free night
It's the perfect getaway if your neighbours are starting to drive you a little insane.
Luxury Escapes reveals third signature series tour with Miguel Maestre
We would recommend reading this after lunch, otherwise you risk slobbering at your desk.