Kelantan homestay operators urged to tap grants, cooperative schemes
KUALA LUMPUR: Registered homestays in Kelantan generated RM376,451 in tourism revenue from January to August this year, attracting 7,208 tourists under the state’s community-based tourism programme.
Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Chiew Choon Man said the Malaysia Homestay Experience Programme (PPHM) continued to attract visitors to rural communities across the state.
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“From January to August 2026, Kelantan’s homestay programme recorded 7,208 tourists, generating RM376,451 in revenue,” he said.
As of August, Kelantan had eight registered homestay clusters comprising 141 operators and seven licensed local community tourist guides, Chiew said.
In 2025, the programme recorded 11,358 tourists and generated RM526,783 in revenue, he added.
Chiew highlighted Homestay Jelawang in Kuala Krai, near Gunung Stong Waterfall, as Kelantan’s highest-earning homestay last year.
“The homestay recorded the highest revenue in Kelantan in 2025, exceeding RM300,000, with 8,704 tourist arrivals,” he said.
Chiew was responding to Zahari Kechik (Independent-Jeli), who asked about the effectiveness of community-based rural tourism initiatives in Kelantan, including financial assistance, homestay development and strategies to increase operators’ income.
During a supplementary question, Zahari raised concerns about the low number of foreign tourists staying at registered homestays in the state.
He cited figures suggesting that only one foreign tourist had stayed at a homestay between January and May 2025.
However, Chiew clarified that the figure referred to May alone, rather than the entire five-month period.
“If the figure is one foreign tourist, that refers to May alone, not January to May.
“But I agree that greater efforts are needed to attract more foreign tourists, particularly to these areas,” he said.
He added that domestic tourism remained important, with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) continuing to promote community-based tourism products to local and international markets.
Zahari also proposed setting up a one-stop guidance centre to help rural homestay operators prepare documents, meet eligibility requirements and apply for government grants.
In a separate supplementary question, Tan Kar Hing (PH-Gopeng) asked about collaboration between ministries, government agencies and the private sector to strengthen community tourism programmes.
Chiew said MOTAC was working with the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry and the Malaysia Cooperative Societies Commission to encourage homestay operators to establish cooperatives and access available grants.
He added that cooperation with the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry enabled homestay operators to participate in agrotourism programmes and access related assistance.