Homestay Tourism Research Articles

Cultural homestay enterprises: Sustainability factors in Kiangan, Ifugao

Abstract This article contributes to the continuing discussion about the community-based tradition of sustainability in small tourism enterprises. An analysis is made of cultural homestay enterprises at a UNESCO World Heritage town in Kiangan, Ifugao as it examines the standardized nature and the effect of the regionalized homestay identity of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The findings revealed that regional organizations in the ASEAN have focused on improving their competitiveness by marketing homestay tourism product globally. Homestay operations in the region which are holistic in strategy are the 'hard' factors that monitor and systematize the process, while closely related factors arising from culture are said to be the 'soft' elements. The subsequent overlap of the two affect the local enterprises as a whole and consequently promote further homestay tourism. An important implication from these findings are the three foundation variables of cultural tradition and heritage, cultural identity and infrastructure ventilation that is specific to the Philippines. The stronger, embedded and authentic these foundation variables are, the more successful and profitable these small tourism firms will be as this equates to tourist arrivals.

Research on Planning and Design of Mountainous B&B Based on Geographic Information System

In recent years, the rise of homestay tourism has brought great benefits to the tourism industry, and the tourism of the hotel has come to a new stage. At present, many mountainous areas in China have abundant natural resources and free houses, which are suitable for the development of B&B tourism. However, there are few studies on the planning and design of mountain-type B&Bs. Based on the spatial information system analysis of a mountainous area in China, this paper combines resource evaluation to design and provide a scientific basis for the planning and design of mountain-type B&B.

The emerging importance of “homestays” in the Indian hospitality sector

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the potential of “homestays” and also observe the trends related to this emerging concept in India. This paper also discusses various challenges faced by the owners of homestays. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on an exploratory study that sought to collect factual data about the present scenario and the emerging trends related to homestays. A qualitative case study method was used to analyse the actual practices followed by stakeholders. This paper expresses the viewpoint of the authors on the augmented demand for homestay supported by secondary data published in several academic papers and reports published by various government departments. The author interviewed a number of homestay owners to obtain a first-hand perspective. Findings This paper brings to light the rising trend toward homestays, the benefits of homestay tourism from the perspective of homestay stakeholders (both tourists and owners) and the impact on economic, social and cultural life, as a result of growth in the homestay concept. Originality/value The current level of discussion about homestays is limited, as there are relatively few prior studies reported in the literature.

Nghiên cứu phát triển du lịch homestay vùng ven biển huyện An Biên, tỉnh Kiên Giang

Homestay is a type of sustainable tourism that brings many benefits as creating new experiences for tourists, ensuring livelihood and income for the locals. Therefore, homestay tourism is a new and promising trend in many countries around the world. An Bien district (Kien Giang province) has lots of potentials to develop homestay tourism with the typical characteristics of a coastal area. However, the strengths in the area only exist in the form of potential, not yet be exploited in association with tourism to generate income for the people and develop the local economy. Therefore, this study is aimed to analyze the potentials of homestay tourism in An Bien district, Kien Giang province; thereby providing some orientations for homestay models and solutions to overcome shortcomings to develop homestay tourism in the area effectively as well as to improve the quality of people's lives and to strengthen rural construction towards sustainable development.

Sustainability Criteria for Homestay Programme

This paper aims to understand the role of homestay programme development as a medium for community-based tourism in rural areas. Although many homestay businesses are actively run by the local community, the sustainability of the development is questionable. Attributes from previous research of local communities’ attitude were reviewed and linked to construct a conceptual framework within the scope of homestay tourism. This study is deductive in nature where descriptive analysis is used to generate mean values of the variables. Four variables were tested: financial resources, infrastructure resources, community participation and community empowerment for the mean values. This finding can be used in determining sustainable tourism practice which will be focused on economic, socio cultural and environmental pillars. The descriptive statistical analysis reveals that the community is heavily participating in tourism activities in their village; however, they are not genuinely empowered. Apart from that, financial and infrastructure resources are not in good state and require improvement.

Idiosyncratic identity for homestay tourism in Malaysia: importance, benefits and challenges

This study explores the importance, benefits and challenges of distinctive products and services by utilizing the existing natural resources. It was conducted using a qualitative approach with 2 selected homestay villages. 20 homestay providers and 5 visitors were interviewed. Results indicate that majority of the homestay providers and visitors are aware that idiosyncratic product is important for the homestay’s identity. The use of “existing natural resources” available in the village is a sensible move. The existence of many homestay villagers in the country, innovating goods and services that symbolize the village identity could add value through employment and income generation, thus contribute to the sustainability of the sector. The findings drive relevant parties such as the homestay providers, the association, policy makers to create and support any efforts that will stimulate the competitiveness of homestay businesses in the attempts for business growth and sustainability for economic improvement. Keywords: homestay; natural resources; idiosyncratic identity; sustainable tourism; Malaysia

Community Oriented-Rural Tourism Development Model

Nepal is endowed with the majestic Himalayan ranges, including Mt. Everest, which is 8848 m, is the world’s highest mountain peak. Nepal is renowned world-wide as a prime tourist destination due to its unparalleled natural beauty; diverse bio-diversity; ethnic, lingual and social diversity; and historical and cultural wealth. There are many lakes, rivers, mountainous areas, museums, national parks, historical places, greenery forests, cultural heritages which become attractions to the tourists in Nepal. Rural setting is one of the most potential areas to promote the rural tourism where tourists can have opportunity to observe the rural setting, culture, life-style, social relationship, hospitality etc of rural people in Nepal. So, the study has developed the community oriented rural tourism development model covering the stages of development. The study was conducted in Lamjung, Tanahu and Nawalparasi districts among the home-stay operators, tourist experts and other tourism related stakeholders. In-depth interview was done with the respondents to collect their opinion about the best model of rural tourism. The study has developed the Community Oriented Rural Tourism Development Model (CO-RTDM) which has explained the seven stages of development.

HOMESTAY TOURISM: FROM THE DISTANT PAST UP TO PRESENT

While homestay tourism as an effective catalyst for socio-economic development in the rural areas has been widely discussed in the tourism literature, very few studies have investigated the historic roots and evolutionary path of the homestay. This study conducted a thorough review of homestay history in order to explain what factor gave rise to the homestay tourism and what significant forces in the modern society have shaped the contemporary homestay tourism. This paper shows that the business of homestay, from its earliest days as in the past shares the characteristics of the homestay tourism as we know it today. It also acknowledges how homestay tourism has evolved through societies’ religious beliefs, financial incentives, and nobles’ hunger for novel cultural experience, environmental awareness, enhanced demands for solitude, poverty reduction, and sustainable tourism development over centuries. Furthermore, it clarifies that the modern tourists consider homestay as an alternative lodging experience to the normal chain hotels due to its capability in creating a short relaxing break in a homelike atmosphere allowing them to experience host culture and pristine nature in more authentic way.

SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSIONS OF TOURIST SERVICE EXPERIENCE IN HOMESTAYS

Homestay tourism can be a lucrative service sector and the Culture, adventure and nature (CAN) have been recognized as the critical components of eco-tourism products for tourism-friendly nations like Malaysia. Many tourists have enjoyed the social and environmental aspects of the various tourist destinations and there are also tourists who are not very happy with certain aspects of their experiences. This research investigated the tourists’ experiences with the homestay programmes using qualitative and quantitative techniques, namely the focus groups and questionnaire survey to discover their experiences and thereafter developed a multi-item measurement. Responses of 330 sampled respondents were analyzed. A total of nine dimensions were found and the measurement fit indices of these socio-environmental measurement was satisfactory. The socio-environmental issues included culture, guiding, accommodation, services, food and beverages, journey, natural environment, access and cleanliness. The homestay service environment indeed must be holistic and sustainable to create the memorable and delightful tourist experience which can generate more income and other benefits for the stakeholders. Implications and future research were also discussed for continuous improvement of the environment-driven performance measurement and management process.

Sustainable Community Development through Homestay Programme

The study analyses the dimensionality of tourist perceived value in community-based homestay tourism context. A survey of 150 visitors to homestay in Kuching, Sarawak was conducted and used to examine the perceived value dimensions in tourism context, statistical analysis and structural equation model were used to verify the validity and reliability of scales used. Satisfaction level was measured using tested perceived value with six dimensions that illustrated through structural construct, (i) emotional value, (ii) experiential value (host-guest interaction), (iii) experiential value (activity, culture and knowledge), (iv) functional value (establishment), (v) functional value (price), and (vi) functional value (service). The finding shows that emotional, experiential and functional are important determinants of perceived value which affect the visitor’s satisfaction level on homestay tourism. Moreover, statistical findings indicated that only five dimensional have positive affect towards Satisfaction Level while function value (establishment) computed a negative affect towards satisfaction.

Dimensions of Homestay Tourism: A Proposed Sustainable Structural Equation Model

Homestay tourism has become a very popular in many of the Indian States as well as Indian territories and has become a source of livelihoods for the rural people as it generates additional income to the local communities. It is one of the ecotourism activities that focus on sustainable tourism development with minimum impact on an environment, preservation of local culture and heritage. In this conceptual paper, a Structural Equation Model is proposed to ascertain the satisfaction level of visitors based on Service Quality, Safety, Destination Image, and infrastructure provided resulting in revisit intention and recommendation.

Economy and Social Development of Rural Sikkim

The tiny Himalayan state of Sikkim is well known for its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic identity. There is a political and historical debate regarding the identity of communities in Sikkim. Lepchas are considered as original inhabitants of Sikkim. Currently, Lepcha, Bhutia and Limbu are recognised as minor communities and have Schedule Tribes (ST) status in the state. Individual community concentration is mainly found in North and West Sikkim. Lepcha-Bhutias are found mainly in North Sikkim whereas Limbus are concentrated in West Sikkim. Community concentration is profound in rural areas. Gyalshing sub-division of West Sikkim has been selected for the present study. Purpose of this study is to investigate the Gram Panchayat Unit (GPU) level economy and social development of the rural areas based mainly on secondary sources of information. A field survey was also conducted to interact with the local people. Findings suggest that education and population density are the key determinants for GPU level disparity in social development of the study area. It has been found that the economy is primarily agriculture based and fully organised by organic farming system. Recently, homestay (eco)tourism business has been started here like other parts of Sikkim.

Conceptualising host learning in community-based ecotourism homestays

This paper draws on practice-based theorising in workplace education to conceptualise the learning of hosts in homestay provision in community-based ecotourism (CBET). The paper first discusses the spatial and social dimensions of community homestays, reviews literature on homestay tourism, cultural commodification and colonialisation of local communities, and argues that agency is due homestay hosts in negotiating CBET on their own terms. Billet's model of workplace learning – describing curriculum practices, pedagogic practices and epistemological practices – is then used to conceptualise host learning in CBET, drawing on a comprehensive review of published research on homestays in CBET. The paper argues that host learning and education give hosts the capacity for local self-determination and control of ecotourism development and management. The conclusion offers directions for further research and practice.

Homestay Enterpreneurs—Drivers and Barriers

Malaysia is one of the fastest growing countries in Asia. Nowadays, Malaysia is well known as eco-tourism as it is endowed with rich natural heritage, and state of Johor has been ranked as third in tourism destinations after Kuala Lmur and Penang. The growth of Johor's tourism industry has caused the high demand for homestay tourism product. Currently, there are 140 homestay with 227 villages throughout Malaysia with total of 3,264 houses offering 4,463 rooms until June 2009. This numbers is forecasted to be increased in the future. The focus of this paper was to identifv the drivers factors that encourage the growing numbers of homestay entrepreneur particularly in the state of Johor, as well as the barriers that constraint them in managing homestav business. The findings of this paper were based on the questionnaires and series of interviews conducted along the research process. Ihe respondents participated in this study were homestay entrepreneurs including homcstay coordinators and homestay operators. The findings identified that thc homestay entrepreneurs in the State of Johore were highly motivated by internal factors to involve in the homestay business, even though they have facing many challenges and problems in managing the homestay business. This results will be benefitted to the homestay entrepreneurs to improve and enhancing the homestay business in future.

“When small things are impressive” Tourist Satisfaction towards Homestay in Nepal

Tourist satisfaction has been considered as a tool for increasing destination competitiveness. This study focuses on tourist satisfaction on home stay in Nepal. This paper emphasized to identify the variables that are related to tourist satisfaction during tourist homestay. It is also focused on analyzing the relationship and impact between the overall tourist satisfaction and home stay attributes. Twenty seven (26) manifest variables were developed for the study. The manifest variables are basically focused on four aspects of home stay attributes namely cultural attraction, hospitality, amenities and safety & security at the homestay destination. Post Exploratory Factor Analysis indicates factor loading for twenty two (22) items as significant, loaded with five (5) factors of homestay attributes named as Amenities & Safety, Reception, Local Cuisine & Accommodation, Local Life style & Costumes, and Cultural Performance. Likewise, 1 (one) statement as dependent variable of overall satisfaction was developed for the purpose. The results indicate a moderate tourist satisfaction level towards homestay. It is worth to look and give emphasizes equally towards these attributes to have a sustainable higher level of tourist satisfaction. Likewise, correlation of five independent variables with the dependent variable was strong. Similarly, out of the five factors, Reception has a greater impact on tourist satisfaction towards homestay. Thereafter, Amenities and Safety, Local Cuisine & Accommodation, Local Life style &Costumes and Cultural Performance has significant impact on tourist satisfaction. The result contributes to a better knowledge on tourist satisfaction towards homestay in Nepal and helps all stakeholders to priorities on developing sustainable tourism planning including homestay tourism. This also contributes to the development of survey instrument for exploring tourist satisfaction for Homestay for the future researchers in Nepal.

Pros and Cons of Hosting International Tourists: Is It Rational?

Homestay hosting is increasingly becoming popular in tourists destinations in different parts of the world. And it is, presently, being used as a tool for sustainable community development. Despite its seeming virtue and it often being positioned as an attractive alternative tourism product/accommodation; academic work has not yet critiqued homestay tourism in the same manner. An empirical knowledge of the good and bad side of hosting is relevant to help devise measures to minimise or if possible eliminate such hosting problems. This article, thus, provides a critical and timely review of homestay tourism, using in-depth interviews with 12 host families in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. The study found that homestay hosting is beneficial to host families as it offers social interaction and preservation of local culture, a sense of local pride, income and employment, and educational opportunities for operators' children. Notwithstanding the benefits, challenges exist including culture shock, seasonality of homestay business, insecurity and delayed payments by some intermediaries. In the end, the implications of understanding both the positive and negative aspects of hosting international tourists are discussed.

Potential of Homestay Tourism Based on Seaweed Cultivation from the Views of Seaweed Cultivators in District of Semporna Sabah, East Malaysia

Community participation in tourism development especially among fisherman and farmers has begun to given serious attention by the government whereby the communities are given opportunities to engage in tourism development programmes in order to enhance their quality of life. In order to encourage local community participation in tourism development in rural areas, participants’ perceptions regarding tourism activities are important aspect to be sought. Good or bad perceptions from the community towards tourism development are important because it can determine the success of the programme. Firstly, this paper aims to explore the views or perceptions of seaweed cultivators towards homestay tourism which is based on seaweed cultivation in the District of Semporna, Sabah. Qualitative and quantitative research approaches have been applied in this study, such as the usage of the face to face interviews survey using survey questionnaires and field observation as primary methods. The findings show that the majority of the respondents have a positive perception of homestay tourism based on seaweed cultivation, such as the acceptance of visits by the tourists to their working place. Seaweed cultivators agreed that this tourism activity bring additional income to them. Activities that can become tourist attractions include tying seaweed seeds on a casino table. Moreover, the tourists have an opportunity to take a boat to see the seaweed farm, and take pictures of seaweed activities and so on. These findings also revealed that the majority of the respondents assumed that the visits of the tourists would motivate them to carry out the activity with more enthusiasm. This shows that seaweed cultivation could become a new tourism product which has great potential to develop in the district of Semporna, Sabah.

Homestay Tourism and the Commercialization of the Rural Home in Thailand

Despite its growing importance to the domestic tourism market in Thailand, and its pertinence to community-based forms of tourism generally, homestay tourism remains a neglected topic. The purpose of this paper is to explore the implications of successful participation in homestay tourism in Thailand. Based on in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 30 residents of Mae Kampong, a well-known homestay village located in the northern Thai province of Chiang Mai, this paper argues that success in the context of homestay tourism is a double-edged sword, because even when communities succeed in operating a homestay program, this success comes at the price of diminished authenticity, greater dependence on tourism, and enhanced social and economic inequalities. Notwithstanding such challenges, rural communities will continue to respond to tourist demand for novelty and authenticity by commercializing their homes and offering homestay experiences that deliver glimpses of rural life to curious guests.

Homestays as an Alternative Tourism Product for Sustainable Community Development: A Case Study of Women-Managed Tourism Product in Rural Nepal

Homestay tourism is popular in many destinations; it adds authentic sociocultural richness to the tourist's experience. For a nation that cannot make extensive infrastructural investment a priority but which possesses an abundance of tourism richness in remote communities, homestays are an attractive alternative tourism product. This paper discusses a case study of Barpak, located in the Gorkha District of Western Nepal. The study suggests homestays are congruent with Nepal's destination image. The essence of Nepalese tourism lies in naturally beautiful rural hills and mountains and its indigenous communities with their mystical lifestyle and culture. These natural and cultural attributes can be showcased best through homestays. This paper proposes homestays as a pro-women tourism opportunity that promotes sustainable community development by fostering gender equality. Female ownership of homestay businesses secures women's avenues for income generation and involves them in mainstream development. The study's indicators of development are based on the well-being achieved by the Barpaki community, with a focus on three essential aspects of sustainable development, namely economic, environmental and social. The author's (BPA) own experience of collaboration, on behalf of the nation's tourism authority the Nepal Tourism Board, with the community of Barpak in setting-up the homestay management, was a primary source of information for this case along with related literature reviews. The data was derived through community-based action research and evaluation methodologies. Information was based on first-hand experiences generated through ethnographic observations and semi-structured interviews.

Home-stay: Assessment in Lwang Ghalel

Home-stay tourism is a community-based programme introduced by the Government of Nepal, where tourists can have interaction and direct experience of the day-to-day life of the community. The concept of home-stay addresses the theme of eco-tourism in Nepal. The programme’s preliminary positive impact on women, local economy, environment, children and the community shows the effectiveness of the home-stay approach. This approach preserves the rural lifestyle, culture and identity. A growing number of locals are operating the home-stay programme, offering tourists a window into their local culture in areas without hotels. This paper briefly outlines the findings of a field research on the different aspects of home-stay tourism in Wards 2 and 3 of Lwang Ghalel Village Development Committee in Kaski district1. The study includes aspects which both help promote as well as adversely affect the operation of home-stay in the study area. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ntdr.v2i1.7382 Nepal Tourism and Development Review Vol.2(1) 2012 105-140