SILABUR CAVE IN SERIAN: May 2014

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Homestay A lucrative income generator

KUCHING: Homestay tourism is a lucrative income generator with total earnings of RM379,780 in the first four months of this year.

In saying this, Assistant Tourism Minister Datuk Gramong Juna added during the same period, 1,194 visitors had visited homestays in the state. “To make the homestays successful, its operators, villagers, co-ordinators must work together in achieving their goal. They must be ready to ensure the cleanliness and safety of their village so that visitors feel comfortable and safe,” said Gramong at the closing of the inaugural Sarawak Homestay Operators Conference at Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) on Thursday night.

As such, the state government has allocated RM5,687,800 to upgrade homestay facilities in the state in the 10th Malaysia Plan.

For this year, RM11,301,000 is estimated to be channelled to implement upgrading works at five homestays – Homestay Kpg Pueh Sematan, Homestay Kpg Benuk Padawan, Homestay Annah Rais Padawan, Homestay Rh Nyuka Sarikei and Homestay Rh Bawang Assan Sibu, he said.

To further strengthen the promotional effort of the homestays, Gramong reminded the operators to be pro-active in fostering good ties with government agencies.

“I would also like to advise homestay operators to set-up smart sharing programmes with homestay operators in other parts of the state to increase income sources,” he said.

Gramong said the state’s tourism industry is continuing to boom with the income generated for last year at RM2,151,363,20, an increase of 33.47 per cent compared to RM1,611,914.03 in 2012. A total of 16,949 visitors have visited homestays in the state last year compared to 14,310 in 2012.

Earlier, the ministry’s permanent secretary Ik Pahon Joyik said that the state targets the tourism industry income for this year to be RM2.5-2.6 million. Meanwhile, the three-day conference which started on Monday was participated by 31 homestay operators throughout the state. It was held to obtain feedback, sharing the latest homestay status and to co-ordinate homestay related events in the state.

Among those present was State Tourism and Culture Office director Suriya Charles Buas.

Friday, May 2, 2014

Annah Rais collects RM120k fee annually by Rintos Mail, reporters@theborneopost.com

KUCHING: Annah Rais longhouse collects an average of RM120,000 in entry fees annually from tourists.

Annah Rais tourism coordinator with the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) Councillor Edward Kurik said the longhouse remains one of the area’s top tourism draws.

“Every year, over 20,000 excursionists, mostly foreigners, visit the longhouse. I can say that the longhouse welcomes visitors almost every day throughout the year. So you see tourism is a potential gold mine in Annah Rais,” he said.

Adult visitors are charged RM8 each, while children are charged RM5 per entry.

Edward, who is from Annah Rais, said the fees are managed by the village security and development committee, which fixes the amount to be divided among the some 150 families.

“Over the last six years, each family has been receiving RM300 every year compared with only RM50 in the past. The RM300 is normally given in May, before Gawai,” he said.

Edward said the longhouse’s homestay programme has also been quite successful.

According to MPP’s records, Annah Rais’ homestay programme collected RM212,000 in 2012.

There are 15 registered homestays at the longhouse. Annah Rais is one of the oldest and best preserved Bidayuh longhouses.

Located about 60km from here, it is also the nearest and most accessible for visitors to the city.

The drive there passes beautiful limestone formations and scenic countryside fringed by hills and farms.

Aside from the unique architecture of the longhouse, guests can also enjoy the hot spring, a three-tier waterfall, jungle trekking or visit the pepper plantation and paddy fields nearby.