Kuala lumpur: The government is setting its sights on the homestay sector to generate up to RM200 million in revenue by next year, in alignment with the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026) initiative, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He emphasized the importance of local homestays as both a source of national pride and a representation of Malaysian hospitality.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid highlighted the role of homestays in connecting tourists with rural communities, not only as a means of income generation but also in preserving culture and strengthening unity. These efforts are seen as a gateway to creating new opportunities for the younger generation. Following a coordination meeting on the homestay programme, he reviewed the Malaysia Homestay Experience Programme (PPHM), focusing on promotional efforts and service quality improvements to attract more tourists.
As of August, the PPHM has already generated over RM39.83 million in revenue, welcoming more than 620,000 visitors across the nation, with Sabah, Johor, and Pahang leading in visitor numbers. Ahmad Zahid outlined strategic measures introduced by the government, such as over 12 financing schemes and grants to support homestay operators, aiming to enhance premises quality, enrich visitor experiences, and boost the competitiveness of community-based tourism products.
The Deputy Prime Minister encouraged operators to leverage these facilities to foster growth within the homestay industry, adding value to rural tourism, and bringing lasting benefits to local communities. He further announced the government's approval of more than RM1.1 million for improving rural access roads and community facilities to bolster the homestay ecosystem. Additionally, educational tourism packages targeting students from several countries have been introduced to position Malaysia as a leading edu-tourism destination.
Efforts to market and promote homestays internationally are underway through sales missions, exhibitions, and seminars in key markets, as well as through the digital platforms jomhomestay.my and go2homestay.my. The government is also focusing on empowering women homestay operators via the JELITA TVET and Homestay Operations Training programmes, providing Malaysian Skills Certificates in homestay entrepreneurship.