NUSA DUA, Bali (Rls/BPN) – The existence of homestay business is now becoming a national trend and phenomenon in the last decade of Indonesian tourism. It is not surprising that the Ministry of Tourism has even made homestay as one of the priority programs that is predicted to be able to maximize three elements of sustainability through community-based tourism.
This was revealed when Tourism High School (STP) Bali held a National Seminar and Book launching of Homestay Mozaik Pariwisata Berbasis Kerakyatan in Nusa Dua, Bali on Thursday, May 17.
“Three sustainable elements such as economy, sociocultural, and environment can have positive impacts because homestay business is done on a small-scale but have a large impact,” said I Gusti Ayu Dewi Hendriyani, Assistant of Chairman IV Cooperation Division, when opening the National Seminar.
To make tourism as basic needs, the easiest way is to make the price affordable by creating attractions, access, and affordable amenities.
Tourism Minister Arief Yahya explained, the breakthrough to realize an easy and cheap accommodation is by building as many homestays as possible.
“Building a homestay will be easier and more flexible than a hotel. Homestay can also be spread in various tourist destinations in all over of the country because later homestay will be owned by people around the destination,” the Minister said.
However, the great potential of homestay is not supported with information and complete studies on homestays in Indonesia. Researches on homestays are still sporadic and thus lack of applicative benefits for policy maker, especially for the Tourism Ministry. In fact, homestay significantly contributes to community-based tourism. (*)
