Rural Agro-Tourism and Local Community Income: The Case Study of

RURAL AGRO-TOURISM AND LOCAL COMMUNITY INCOME: THE CASE STUDY OF CLUSTERED MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND CULTURE HOMESTAY IN KELANTAN AND TERENGGANU

Leader : Assoc. Prof. Dr. Syahriah Bachok

Researcher:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mariana Mohamed Osman

Dr. Nor Zalina Harun

Dr. Noor Suzilawati Rabe

Dr. Syakir Amir Ab Rahman

Dr. Zakiah Ponrahono

Research Assistant:

 Hafizah Hasbullah

Tuan Anisdina Tuan Mohd Amin

ABSTRACT

This research outlines the analysis of income generation basing on agro-cultural tourism of formal homestays under the purview of Ministry of Tourism and Culture of Malaysia. Using a case study of Kelantan and Terengganu, the research further elaborates on the levels of income generated from agro-tourism, the current locations, distributions, administrations and quality of homestays, factors leading to the success of homestays in generating additional income and strategies of infrastructural improvements to increase the tourists’ receipts from homestay experiences. Tourism plays an essential role in the Malaysian economy. One of the largest contributing sectors (13%) to the National Gross Product of an estimated RM153 billion output value in 2015, tourism offers great and various activities to tourists domestic and international alike. One such activities is agro-tourism that provide opportunities for the visitors to stay and experience the life of an agriculture community in rural areas of selected states in Malaysia. Kelantan and Terengganu are still rich with natural resources and agricultural produce has the advantage of showcasing the unique attractions to various tourists’ types, especially those who were willing to stay overnight or more to properly enjoy and learn about realities of daily life of these selected communities. A gap in the literature identified that research on homestays quality in Kelantan and Terengganu are limited in research. Hence, this research aims to assess the rural agro-tourism and local community income generated from homestays in Kelantan and Terengganu.

Keywords: Homestay, Agro-tourism, Homeowners, Tourism, Kelantan, Terengganu