Assessing the sustainability of the homestay industry for the East Coast of Malaysia using the Delphi approach
Fatin Amira Zamzuki,
Muhamad Safiih Lola,
Elayaraja Aruchunan,
Mohana Sundaram Muthuvalu,
Ribed Vianneca W. Jubilee,
Nurul Hila Zainuddin,
Abdul Aziz K. Abdul Hamid,
Nor Aieni Mokhtar,
Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah
Affiliations
Fatin Amira Zamzuki
Faculty of Ocean Engineering Technology and Informatics, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
Muhamad Safiih Lola
Faculty of Ocean Engineering Technology and Informatics, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia; Special Interest Group on Modeling and Data Analytics (SIGMDA), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia; Corresponding author. Faculty of Ocean Engineering Technology and Informatics, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.
Elayaraja Aruchunan
Department of Decision Science, Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Mohana Sundaram Muthuvalu
Department of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610, Seri Iskandar, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia
Ribed Vianneca W. Jubilee
Labuan Faculty of International Finance, Universiti Malaysia Sabah Labuan International Campus, Labuan Federal Territory, 87000, Malaysia
Nurul Hila Zainuddin
Mathematics Department, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 53900, Tanjong Malim, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia
Abdul Aziz K. Abdul Hamid
Faculty of Ocean Engineering Technology and Informatics, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia; Special Interest Group on Applied Informatics and Intelligent Applications (AINIA), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
Nor Aieni Mokhtar
Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah
Academy of Sciences Malaysia, Menara Matrade, Tingkat 20, Sayap Barat, Jalan Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, 50480, Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory, Malaysia
Homestay ecotourism in Malaysia has been extensively examined in terms of its concepts, approaches, activities, and community engagement. However, a comprehensive assessment of the sustainability factors pertaining to host families remains a critical area awaiting exploration. This is paramount for ensuring the long-term viability of homestays and fostering economic benefits within rural communities. The present study seeks to establish direct subjective measurements for evaluating the interplay between local communities, tourism, and resources in safeguarding sustainable homestays. Utilizing the Delphi approach, this research conducted interviews with 51 experts who were actively involved in six homestays located on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The objective was to identify key evaluation indicators pertinent to the homestay industry. The findings underscored the pivotal roles played by community resources and tourism in the sustainability of homestays. Additionally, environmental, economic, and social factors emerged as crucial components for maintaining the industry's sustainability. This innovative assessment methodology offers a valuable instrument for enhancing the sustainability of the homestay sector, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. By embracing this approach, homestay operators can fortify their sustainable management practices and prepare themselves for future pandemics. This study represents a significant contribution to the field of homestay ecotourism, emphasizing the imperative for continued research in this dynamic domain.
