Longhouse folk in Bawang Asan promote homestay via Internet
SIBU: The Bawang Assan Homestay Programme is registering more visitors, including those from overseas, who seek to experience local cultures and scenic longhouses.
According to programme chairman Macarthy Gindau, the operators have begun to utilise the Internet to promote their homestays to a larger global market.
“We’ve recorded a jump in the number of visitors. The domestic ones are from the peninsula and also the undergraduate groups.
“The foreign ones come from Sweden, Canada, England, Holland, France, China, Korea and other European countries.”
It is learnt that eight longhouses in Bawang Assan are taking part in this programme – Rumah Michael, Rumah Jimbun, Rumah Dennis, Rumah Stanley, Rumah Roseline, Rumah Abell, Rumah Peter and Rumah Anthony.
The operators have lined up various activities for their guests – ‘ngajat’ (traditional Iban dance), blowpipe and ‘sape’ (traditional stringed musical instruments) performances being among them.
Macarthy’s ‘ Manok Pansuh’ (Chicken Cooked in Bamboo) and other fish- based dishes appear to be popular among the foreign visitors.
Bawang Assan Homestay is located about a 45-minute drive from the town area, and University College of Technology Sarawak ( UCTS) is coordinating the website programme.
UCTS School of Computing and Creative Multimedia senior lecturer Gary Loh Chee Wyai said creating the website for homestay operators in Bawang Assan was the first of such undertaking by the university.
“The website is maintained under our ‘ Service Learning’ course, with students being hands- on in running a real-world project for the community. The website URL is www.bawangassan.com.
“Using Internet to promote their homestays is also part of the digital economy,” Loh said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, regarded the homestay programme as ‘ how the business should be conducted in the digital era’.
“This is not something new. All over the world most homestays, lodging houses and AirBNB (househosting operations) are using the Internet to get connected with prospective clients.
“We are living in the digital age and that is how business is being done now.
“I believe this also applies to other industries, including our cottage industry,” he added.