(Lawas, 14th) Sarawak currently has a total of 68 registered homestay (Inap Desa) clusters, with 3 located in Lawas, namely the Long Semadoh Homestay, Ba’ Kelalan Homestay, and Long Sukang Homestay, showcasing the vibrant potential of community-based tourism in the state.
Director of Sarawak’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC), Debbie Jenggut Nyelang, stated that this record is of great significance as the government aims to attract 1.6 million tourists to choose homestay or Kampungstay village homestays by 2025, in line with the promotion for Visit Malaysia Year (VMY 2026).
She pointed out yesterday, while officiating the MOTAC Community Together Program (PMBK) at the local venue:
“The three homestay clusters in Lawas are as follows:
• Long Semadoh Homestay: 17 participants
• Ba’ Kelalan Homestay: 24 participants
• Long Sukang Homestay: 22 participants.”
She said, MOTAC is implementing a number of initiatives, including working with the Malaysia Cooperative Societies Commission (SKM) to launch the Cooperative Acceleration Program, to strengthen the capabilities of homestay operators.
She explained, “The establishment of cooperatives aims to help homestay operators more easily obtain financing through Tekun Nasional, Bank Rakyat, and private institutions regulated by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).”
In addition, MOTAC is also working with the Institute for Rural Advancement and Infrastructure (INFRA) to offer retraining and enhancement courses to help homestay operators improve their digitalization capabilities and community tourism management.
She emphasized that MOTAC’s PMBK initiative aims to enhance local communities’ understanding and sense of responsibility in promoting tourism and protecting cultural heritage.
She pointed out that choosing Lawas as the host for this program is highly appropriate because the area has great potential to be developed as a community-based ecotourism destination.
“Local specialties, such as Ba’ Kelalan rice, mountain salt, and agricultural products, have commercial value and unique appeal that can further strengthen the tourism industry of this area,” she said.
In addition, the event also included a Visit Malaysia Year 2026 briefing by the Sarawak Tourism Board and a presentation by the Sarawak MOTAC office on the Malaysia Homestay Experience Program, further introducing the development potential of community tourism in the state.
Director of Sarawak’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC), Debbie Jenggut Nyelang, stated that this record is of great significance as the government aims to attract 1.6 million tourists to choose homestay or Kampungstay village homestays by 2025, in line with the promotion for Visit Malaysia Year (VMY 2026).
“The three homestay clusters in Lawas are as follows:
• Long Semadoh Homestay: 17 participants
• Ba’ Kelalan Homestay: 24 participants
• Long Sukang Homestay: 22 participants.”
She said, MOTAC is implementing a number of initiatives, including working with the Malaysia Cooperative Societies Commission (SKM) to launch the Cooperative Acceleration Program, to strengthen the capabilities of homestay operators.
She explained, “The establishment of cooperatives aims to help homestay operators more easily obtain financing through Tekun Nasional, Bank Rakyat, and private institutions regulated by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).”
In addition, MOTAC is also working with the Institute for Rural Advancement and Infrastructure (INFRA) to offer retraining and enhancement courses to help homestay operators improve their digitalization capabilities and community tourism management.
She emphasized that MOTAC’s PMBK initiative aims to enhance local communities’ understanding and sense of responsibility in promoting tourism and protecting cultural heritage.
She pointed out that choosing Lawas as the host for this program is highly appropriate because the area has great potential to be developed as a community-based ecotourism destination.
“Local specialties, such as Ba’ Kelalan rice, mountain salt, and agricultural products, have commercial value and unique appeal that can further strengthen the tourism industry of this area,” she said.
In addition, the event also included a Visit Malaysia Year 2026 briefing by the Sarawak Tourism Board and a presentation by the Sarawak MOTAC office on the Malaysia Homestay Experience Program, further introducing the development potential of community tourism in the state.