Community Based Tourism
Finding the Euilibrium in the COMCEC Context
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 2 central and local government officials,
 9 Kampung Pelegong residents who are awarded the homestay operator certifications,
 2 Kampung Pelegong homestay program committee members,
 3 Kampung Pelegong residents who are not members of Kampung Pelegong homestay
program committee members,
 5 guests to Kampung Pelegong Homestay (KPH) program,
 2 organizers that bring groups to Kampung Pelegong homestay program that are not
from the travel industry,
 2 tour operators that are involved in selling Kampung Pelegong homestay program.
These stakeholders have differences in terms of their interest, power and dependence
level, as well as the stake that they think they have from the development. They also
expressed their opinions and concerns about the development of Kampong Pelegong
Homestay Program.
Government officials felt that the CBT-homestay program was an important element for
growing tourism industry and claimed that some residents have earned more than a
thousand ringgits per month from their homestay products.
KPH Program operators and committee members expressed their satisfaction on how
the program has served for betterment of the village and how the positive program
outcomes are more than the negative. The program is perceived to maintain patriotism,
confidence, and leadership among young groups.
Kampung Pelegong residents (villagers who do not take part in the program) are not
negative towards the program since they did not have any problem, or felt an unnecessary
burden from visitors to their community. In fact, they recommended officials intensify the
promotional activities to attract more tourists for the homestay program. However, the
residents are not compelled to put in any effort to support the program.
KPH Program guests deemed their experience from the homestay program as
entertaining and enriching. They understood the villagers’ way of life and the local culture
better, and were impressed with hosts’ and organizers’ warm and sincere hospitality.
Organizers expressed the need to improve facilities by upgrading the multipurpose hall
and improving means of transport from one place to another.
Tour operators were not excited to promote and sell homestay packages because the
program was not fully developed yet.
Lessons Learned:
Tourism planners in Malaysia gained a firm understanding of different perspectives on
homestay development and the reasons of their interest or disinterest in CBT- homestay
development in their area.