Attachment and Factors of Involvement Among Youth to Paddy Field Activities in Homestay Programmes

Abstract

The homestay programme is a community-based tourism that offers tourists to experience the local lifestyle and heritage culture. Many studies focused on challenges of homestay programme, place attachment of hosts, contribution of homestay programme to rural economy. However, very few studies have focused on youths’ involvement in homestay activities. This paper aims to examine the youth’s involvement in homestay activities. A focus group discussion was conducted among the youth aged 20 - 34 years old. A non-probability sampling, that is, purposive sampling was employed. Multiple case studies in Homestay Kampung Jeruju, Homestay Kampung D’Belimbing and Homestay Kampung were selected to determine the differences between the locality factors. These findings indicate that youth's involvement in paddy field activities is based on social, physical, and economic factors. Thus, to attract youth to be involved in paddy field activities, it is recommended for the tourism players to pay attention to these three factors.

The Best Practices of Youth in Responsible Tourism: Insights from Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam

“…An example is the involvement of youth in homestay activities in Malaysia. Samsudin et al's (2021) study found that the youth in Homestay Kampung D' Belimbing have vast opportunities to contribute to homestay development; however, the elders rarely accept youths' views and continue using their existing ideas and strategies to manage the homestay programme. The issue of trust has led elderly villagers to ignore youths' potential and capabilities in presenting innovative ideas.…”