Dare to be different, Sarawak's homestay operators urged

SARIKEI: Julau Member of Parliament Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum has challenged Sarawak homestay operators to “dare to be different” in coming up with unique packages to woo tourists.

“You must dare to be different as there is keen competition in the field,” he said at the presentation of national homestay certificates from the Tourism Ministry to 13 homestay operators from Nyuka Longhouse in Lubok Lemba near here on Saturday.

Salang, who is Information, Com-munications and Culture Deputy Mi-nister, advised registered homestay operators to upgrade their facilities and beautify their areas by applying for aid from the Tourism Ministry.

He said the ministry had recently approved RM5.7mil to upgrade the facilities of 19 homestay facilities in the country.

Salang said Sarawak had 26 registered homestay operators, the highest among the states in the country, operating from 30 villages and longhouses.

Earlier Permanent Secretary to the Sarawak Tourism Ministry Datuk Ik Pahon said Nyuka was one of the few traditional Iban longhouses. Over the past two years, the 50-year-old longhouse with 45 families has received 1,335 tourists, 80% of them from Europe, he said