RM1.04m from homestay in Sabah last year

Kota Kinabalu: More than RM1 million was made under the homestay programme in Sabah last year.

Sabah Homestay Association (SHA) Secretary, Rubbin Guribah, said this was the first time the programme achieved such a high turnover since it was introduced in 1996, thanks largely to the support from the State and Federal governments.

He said the income for the homestay programme improved by about 74 per cent, from just over RM600,000 earned in 2007 to RM1.04 million last year.

This was the best answer to those who questioned whether the programme was able to bring in the big bucks, he said. "This is the best response to the views by certain quarters that homestay operators will never become millionaires.

"It is true they will never become millionaires individually but as a community, the programme has successfully given good side income to every operator and, in general, the Government," said Rubbin, who also coordinates the Melangkap Homestay in Kota Belud.

More signed up for the programme in 2008 with 227 registered members against 197 the previous year, he said, in a statement following the SHA's annual meeting last Saturday.

The number of visitors also improved last year, with 3,828 local and 4,924 foreign guests staying at the homestays, he said, adding there were 3,094 local and 2,712 foreign visitors in 2007.

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