Malaysia’s sustainable, community-based travel solution

As the resumption of international travel slowly moves from daydream to reality, the question on every travel industry professional’s lips is growing louder: What do post-COVID travellers want?
Well, we’ve got an answer that is not only tipped to be a big-time post-pandemic travel drawcard, it’s also great for the planet. Yes, we are talking about community-based tourism.
Before travel shut down, sustainable tourism was slowly going from a hugely popular trend to an industry requirement.
Now, as we prepare for the bounceback, there is a unique opportunity for the trade to seek out more sustainable, community-based tourism experiences that are fulfilling for travellers, and beneficial for the communities they visit.
To do this, the industry would do well to take inspiration from Malaysia.
A sustainable and authentic tourism alternative
Malaysia’s homestay experiences are not only a fantastic way for your clients to immerse themselves in the country’s diverse cultures, they’re also an innovative way to engage in tourism that directly benefits local communities.
In 1995, the Malaysian government set up a special homestay program to give tourists the opportunity to stay with a local family and learn about the culture and lifestyle of rural communities.
Through funding and grants from various government departments, the program also bolsters the country’s rural populations by providing infrastructure, training and extra income so villagers can stay in their homes instead of seeking jobs in cities.
How does it work?
The Ministry for Tourism has created a special set of regulations that must be followed by host families to ensure certain hygiene, safety, food prep and sustainability standards are being met so your clients can have an experience that is both authentic and risk-free.
Homestay experiences focus on kampung (village) lifestyle, including cultural and economic activities of local people, which differ from state to state.
Booking a homestay experience gives your client the opportunity to taste home-cooked delicacies, witness cultural dances, play traditional games and sports, and discover the simple pleasures of rural life.
Highlights
From the sumazau dance in Sabah to the longhouses in Sarawak, each state has its own unique cultural delights that are best experienced first-hand.
Here are a few of our favourites:
For those seeking a taste of city life, Banghuris Homestay is just 20-minutes from the bustling streets of Kuala Lumpur, nestled amongst bamboo groves.
Here, clients can harvest honey, visit a dragonfruit farm, harvest Liberica coffee cherries from a local coffee plantation and even learn how to make traditional remedies.
The award-winning Misompuru Homestay Kudat in Sabah has 200 packages for tourists, from Rungus tribe cultural dance performance to mangrove trekking, river cruise, snorkelling, bird watching, fishing, crab catching, cooking, camping and traditional games. The list is endless!
For something a little more luxe, Farmstay Relau offers spacious, air-conditioned chalets modelled off traditional Malay houses. Just 14 kilometres from Kulim city, the farmstay is situated amongst fruit farms, offering fresh, organic produce for guests to harvest and enjoy.
It also features a swimming pool, a mini zoo and a cafe.
Homestay JKKK Sungai Haji Dorani in Sungai Besar Selangor is tailored to offer adventure travel and farming experiences to schools and families.
There are loads of activities on offer including cycling, fishing, river cruise, a night tour around the village, playing traditional games, grating coconut, eel fishing, catching fish using bare hands (menggagau ikan) and having fun wallowing in the paddy fields.
Visitors can also ride a mini tractor to enjoy a village tour and see sprawling paddy fields.
Malaysia is ready to welcome your clients, once the time is right to travel again.
Learn more HERE.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
community-based travel Discover homestay local experiences malaysia sustainable travelLatest News

WATCH: The Travel Weekly Wrap | 14 February 2025
Feel like your story should have got a run in our new video wrap? We'll be the judge of that, thanks.

Entire Travel Soirée puts the spotlight on niche travel
Niche travel is one of the hot topics at the moment, so we couldn't pass up the chance to learn more with Entire.

Happy Valentines! Jetstar launches 8 hour flash sale
Chocolate is nice, but a trip away is a lot better! You'll be in your partner's good books for months.

Chick-In, now open! KFC launches its own airline
We wonder if they are going to have a detailed plan, or, if they are just going to...WING IT!!

Travelport introduces Finnair NDC content and servicing solutions
The national carrier of the happiest country on earth knows a thing or two about NDC, just ask the team at Travelport.

Turkish Airlines confirms daily flights between Sydney-Istanbul
Ok Melbourne, you may have got in first, but Sydney is set to be the lead gateway between the two cities. Score: 1-1.

CATO opens nominations for International Women’s Day lunch ticket giveaway
With one of the Queens of last year's Olympic Games already announced, we know it's going to be one hell of a day!

Boutique luxury hotel opens in Redfern’s Wunderlich Lane
Looking at the rooftop pool, this hotel looks like its situated deep in a Thai forest rather than the concrete jungle.

Croatia Airlines unveils new and restored routes to Milan, Prague, Madrid, Bucharest and Hamburg
When routes were scrapped early in the pandemic, no one would have thought it would be five years until they returned!

Salamander Voyages launches slow sailing itinerary in Türkiye
Okay everyone, time to sing - 'We are sailing, we are sailing, we are sailing...slowly...'

EXCLUSIVE: Emirates’ Captain Emily Sidoti on why gender disparity in aviation comes down to education
Emily is challenging stereotypes and inspiring a younger generation of women to earn their stripes.

Tura Turizm joins World Travel & Trade Council to promote tourism in Türkiye
Should we wind up on a famil in Türkiye, we're making sure to get on one of the famed hot air balloons tours!

Can you guess the world’s top spa destination?
If they ever need anyone to come and try the facilities for them, we are free most weekdays and weekends.

Qatar Airways wins big at Cellars in the Sky Awards
They say you feel the effect of alcohol faster in the sky... Only one way to find out.

Klook hosts inaugural Partner Awards with Tourism Australia’s Pip Harrison as special guest
As Pip said, when people come to Australia they do so for the experiences not their hotel's sheet thread count.

APT Travel Group launches early release of 2026 Canada and Alaska Holidays
For anyone with clients craving an icy getaway, APT is serving up some steals right now.

Film, photography and so much more to explore this year in Berlin
Often known for its grungy aesthetics, or perhaps a currywurst stall, there's so much more on offer this year in Berlin.

TravelManagers welcomes two new directors to HOTA Board
We wish Narendra and Judith the best of luck in trying to remember the rest of the Boards' names.

Tauck celebrates 100 years of hosting travellers around the globe
Tauck would only ever celebrate its 100th birthday in pure style - and Italy is just that!

Travelglobe unveils exclusive food tour with MasterChef’s Kirsten Tibballs
Fancy brushing up on your skills making delicious chocolate and pastry-based treats? Meet us on this tour!

Fiji Airways to bring South Australians closer to paradise with third weekly flight from Adelaide in April
South Australians might say they're already in Paradise, but how can they be sure without checking Fiji out?

Bookings for Vanuatu surge with Aussies ready to support earthquake-struck tourism hotspot
In times like those Vanuatu is surfacing from, the tourism dollar goes a long way and Aussies aren't holding back.

Bullo River Station shares its first ever sustainability report
If you would like to be inspired to be a little more green, then check out what Bullo River Station is up to.

‘Fortune favours the bold’: luxury brand leader Anna Burgdorf departs Flight Centre after 6 years
Time for a pop quiz - who first came up with above quote? Was it A) Virgil B) Shakespeare or C) Aristotle?

Cruise Guru unveils Channel Nine show featuring Ponant, Viking, NCL and more
A little offended that we weren't invited on as the 'Cruise Guru' ourselves, but we'll be tuning in regardless.

Explore Worldwide gives agents a chance to win an exclusive Sri Lanka famil
It's like finding a ticket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! And the prize is even better than unlimited sweets.

Heathrow Airport to upgrade operations as part of multi-billion-pound cash injection
We're usually a bit scared of injections, however a 'cash injection' is one we would welcome with both arms (literally).

Club Med announces Manveer Ramdhian as new MICE manager in Pacific
Rest-assured, being a MICE manager has nothing to do with our furry little friends.

Sydney Airport welcomes daily flights from Hong Kong Airlines
To top it all off, it looks like the representatives scored a cracker of a day for the celebratory photo!

Collette’s Karen Deveson on what Aussies really want from luxury
For Aussies, we're a little bit more laid back when it comes to luxury. No gold-plated cars for us, thanks!

Intrepid Travel partners with Helloworld Travel for exclusive food tour with Luke Nguyen
Vietnamese is one of our favourite cuisines, so we're headed to the Bánh mì shop for lunch in celebration.

Quark Expeditions opens its Antarctic 2026/27 season
You'd have to be Quarking mad to not have a trip like this on your bucket list.

Federal government to purchase REX Airlines if no buyers arise, Albanese says
News that is sure to ruffle some feathers in the offices of competing airlines this morning, but we're all for it!

Topdeck discounts select 2025-26 trips with up to $1,000 off
Knowing my Gen Z sister, that $1,000 saved would be headed straight to the shopping fund.

Windstar Cruises unveils ‘Basil + Bamboo’ on Star Seeker yacht
Don't worry, we're talking about a restaurant here, not the materials used to build the stunning yacht.

Captain Cook Cruises celebrates 55 years of excellence on the water in the habour city
With a view like Sydney Harbour as your office this would be a hard job to leave.