KUDAT: A collaboration between MASwings and the Homestay Association Sabah is expected to bring the tourism industry to a higher level.Dubbed the MASwings Adventure – Misompuru Homestay Kudat, the programme is also part of the Tourism Ministry’s effort to include locals in the rural areas to play their part in the industry.

“MASwings realised that the homestay programme is a niche tourism market and I believe this is not a bad investment since it is not available anywhere else in the world.

“We want to show the world that Malaysia is a multi-cultural country, the people come from different ethnics and cultures and yet we can live together in harmony,” said Tourism Minister Datuk Sri Dr Ng Yen Yen, adding that the packages are sold through their brandings ‘Malaysia, Truly Asia’ and ‘Cuti-Cuti Malaysia’.

She added that even the tourist turnout for homestay programmes in Sabah doubled from 17,528 people in 2010 to 34,578 people last year.

“The tourism receipts also increased from RM2.46 million in 2010 to RM3.54 million last year, and for the first four months this year, the revenue is totalled at RM1.04 million derived from 7,714 visitors,” she said when launching the package here yesterday.

Ng said that locals in the rural areas now have an alternative to earn a living, adding: “You no longer have to depend on agriculture or the forest to earn a living. It is time to divert to the service industry which brings more lucrative returns.”