May 17, 2011 at 5:00 pm
There are countless reasons why Singaporeans visit Malaysia, besides the simple fact that Malaysia is its nearest neighbour and one of the most accessible. One interesting bit of trivia about Singaporean visitors that surfaced recently is that Singaporeans were the majority of tourists who opted for homestay programs last year.
The water buffalo is a common sight around the paddy fields of villages in Malaysia
A total of nearly 25,800 Singaporeans experienced homestays all over Malaysia, though most of them chose nearby Johor as the destination of choice. When we think about it, it is hardly surprising that citizens from a developed nation like Singapore would gravitate towards a holiday that offers simple rural village living. Singapore has achieved much since its independence more than half a century ago, yet as always, there is often a price to pay for that development. Often times Malaysia has been compared to Singapore, and sometimes portrayed as a poor cousin to the island republic. While we certainly admire Singapore’s rapid rise, we should not forget the simpler things in life that are often overlooked and underappreciated. The unsophisticated and laid back atmosphere of village life might seem dull to some, but often offer tranquility and calm that is so needed in this day and age.
Anyway, have you ever asked a Singaporean what is nice about Malaysia? Tell us!
Read the full article below:
More than half of the foreign visitors who took up homestay vacations in Malaysia last year were from Singapore with a majority opting for Johor.
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said of the more than 49,000 foreigners, 52.5% or nearly 25,800 were from the republic.
The Singaporeans were followed by visitors from Japan (22.4% or nearly 11,000) and Europe (9.3% or more than 4,500).
Ng said Johor had the most number of homestay guests (23,300), followed by Selangor (5,600), Sabah (5,500) and Pahang (2,500).
Besides Singapore, visitors from Japan and African nations made up the bulk (87%) of the homestay vacationers in Selangor.
“Homestays are an opportunity to develop the rural economy,” said Ng, who singled out Raub as an ideal tourism district in Pahang due to its many small villages, interesting local spots and popular dishes.
She said this in her speech when launching the Kampung Gali Hilir Homestay programme the second in the Raub district after Kampung Pasu near here, yesterday.
Ng, who is Raub MP, said Pahang currently had 14 homestay programmes, with 249 homes providing 376 rooms.
Dr Ng said successful homestays made as much as RM10,000 a month.
“Homestay is not merely providing accommodation.
“It provides tourists with an experience of rural life, living with a family, doing traditional activities together and learning,” she said.
“They (the visitors) would want to continue to balik kampung.”
Source: The Star
Why Singaporeans Visit Malaysia
May 17, 2011 at 5:00 pm
There are countless reasons why Singaporeans visit Malaysia, besides the simple fact that Malaysia is its nearest neighbour and one of the most accessible. One interesting bit of trivia about Singaporean visitors that surfaced recently is that Singaporeans were the majority of tourists who opted for homestay programs last year.
The water buffalo is a common sight around the paddy fields of villages in Malaysia
A total of nearly 25,800 Singaporeans experienced homestays all over Malaysia, though most of them chose nearby Johor as the destination of choice. When we think about it, it is hardly surprising that citizens from a developed nation like Singapore would gravitate towards a holiday that offers simple rural village living. Singapore has achieved much since its independence more than half a century ago, yet as always, there is often a price to pay for that development. Often times Malaysia has been compared to Singapore, and sometimes portrayed as a poor cousin to the island republic. While we certainly admire Singapore’s rapid rise, we should not forget the simpler things in life that are often overlooked and underappreciated. The unsophisticated and laid back atmosphere of village life might seem dull to some, but often offer tranquility and calm that is so needed in this day and age.
Anyway, have you ever asked a Singaporean what is nice about Malaysia? Tell us!
Read the full article below:
More than half of the foreign visitors who took up homestay vacations in Malaysia last year were from Singapore with a majority opting for Johor.
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said of the more than 49,000 foreigners, 52.5% or nearly 25,800 were from the republic.
The Singaporeans were followed by visitors from Japan (22.4% or nearly 11,000) and Europe (9.3% or more than 4,500).
Ng said Johor had the most number of homestay guests (23,300), followed by Selangor (5,600), Sabah (5,500) and Pahang (2,500).
Besides Singapore, visitors from Japan and African nations made up the bulk (87%) of the homestay vacationers in Selangor.
“Homestays are an opportunity to develop the rural economy,” said Ng, who singled out Raub as an ideal tourism district in Pahang due to its many small villages, interesting local spots and popular dishes.
She said this in her speech when launching the Kampung Gali Hilir Homestay programme the second in the Raub district after Kampung Pasu near here, yesterday.
Ng, who is Raub MP, said Pahang currently had 14 homestay programmes, with 249 homes providing 376 rooms.
Dr Ng said successful homestays made as much as RM10,000 a month.
“Homestay is not merely providing accommodation.
“It provides tourists with an experience of rural life, living with a family, doing traditional activities together and learning,” she said.
“They (the visitors) would want to continue to balik kampung.”
Source: The Star
Tags: Homestay Programs, johor, malaysia, singapore, tourist arrivals