HOMESTAY PROGRAM AS A FACTOR IN IMPROVING SOCIO-ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF HOST IN KAMPUNG KUALA MEDALAM LIMBANG

The aim of this paper is to study the homestay program as a factor in improving socioeconomic benefits of host in Kampung Kuala Medalam, Limbang. The objectives of this study is to examine the challenges by homestay host in implementing the homestay program, to identify the socio-economic benefits of host from the homestay program and to determine the motivational factor in establishment of the homestay program. Data collection methods for this study are using qualitative methods where researcher used primary data sources which are interview methods for collecting data. The target population for this study is ten (10) peoples consisting of the village chief and representative of each household. This study was conducted at Kampung Kuala Medalam, Limbang consisting of Tabun's people. As for the data analysis, the researcher used the thematic analysis method where the findings of the study according to the objectives would be divided according to the appropriate theme. Based on the result of the study, the findings for challenge by homestay host in implementing the homestay program is cooperation among host, language barrier, lack of product, lack of culture knowledge and food services. While, finding for the socio-economic benefits of host from the homestay program is side income and promoting local products. The result of the study for the motivational factor in establishment of the homestay program is improvement of their communities and promoting their culture. In addition, this study recommends that the homestay host to promote their accommodation through social media to attract more tourists so that this program can thrive in advance