I REFER to the reports “A home sweet home with paying guests” and “Kampung lifestyle pulls in tourists” (NST, Sept 22).

I applaud the initiative of the Teluk Ketapang villagers in Terengganu in promoting Malaysia as a tourist hub.

Apart from providing opportunities for both local and foreign tourists to sample the authentic “simple and rustic kampung lifestyle”, the homestay programme also represents the true nature of the local culture, despite all the massive development and advanced technology in the country.

One just needs to see the advertisements on TV, depicting the “quiet, slow pace” of life in the kampung to be attracted to the “laid-back style” of the kampung folk, which is a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of city life. And, indeed, the home-made local food is an added bonus in any homestay programme.

I remember my experience while staying in B&B (bed and breakfast establishments) during my student years in Edinburgh. Those stays provided me with real glimpses of bona fide, typical British life, besides being able to soak in the local culture and get to know and meet a lot of people.

Sampling the classic English breakfast and tea, joining the locals at the market and bonding with them at meal times were some of the priceless experiences I have collected over the years.

There is also a cultural exchange to it, too, when both parties exchange information and stories about each other’s countries.

I am sure local and foreign tourists who participate in our homestay programme would have the same wonderful experiences as well, and I hope it will draw more interest from other villages to set up more programmes such as this in the future.

NAZREEN TAJUL ARIF, Mersing

Source: NST – September 30, 2008