WEEK 8: SMP32103 SERVICES MARKETING (SULAM)

 

WEEK 8: PLANNING FOR THE HOMESTAY VISIT.

     In Week 8, our group held a comprehensive and collaborative discussion session to plan and coordinate the upcoming visit to Oxalis Homestay, which had previously been selected as the subject and location for our project study. The discussion was conducted with full participation from all group members and focused on several key aspects to ensure that every detail of the trip was addressed and properly organized.

        Among the key points discussed was determining a suitable date for the visit. We needed to take into account everyone’s academic schedule, transportation availability, and the homestay owner’s availability to meet with us. After considering these factors, we agreed on a date that was convenient for the group and the homestay host. We also outlined a preliminary itinerary to guide our activities during the visit.

       In addition, we carefully discussed the division of responsibilities among group members. This included assigning roles such as a group representative to liaise with the homestay owner, a person responsible for recording interviews, someone to take photographs for documentation purposes, and another person who would handle note-taking and coordination during the field trip. This structured division of tasks was intended to ensure that all aspects of the visit would be covered effectively and professionally.

       We also took the initiative to jointly prepare a list of interview questions to be posed to the homestay owners during the scheduled sessions. The questions were carefully crafted to cover a range of important topics such as:

• Background and history behind the establishment of Oxalis Homestay.
• Challenges faced in day-to-day operations and management.
• Marketing and promotional strategies used to attract guests.
• Owner’s perspective on tourism development in Kangar and the surrounding area.
• Future plans and aspirations for the homestay business.

          Each group member contributed ideas to ensure that the questions were comprehensive, relevant, and aligned with the project objectives. We also refined the phrasing of the questions to ensure that they were respectful, clear, and would encourage detailed responses from the interviewees.

          This meticulous planning process was essential to ensure that the visit and interview sessions ran smoothly and efficiently. We aimed to maximize the time available on site so that we could collect as much meaningful data and first-hand insights as possible, which would then be used in our analysis and report writing.

     Overall, the entire group demonstrated strong collaboration, attention to detail, and mutual commitment throughout the planning process. We are all very excited and enthusiastic about the upcoming visit to Oxalis Homestay, and we look forward to interacting directly with the homestay owners and observing the operations first-hand. The upcoming trip represents not only a milestone in our project timeline but also an exciting opportunity for practical learning and real-world exposure that will enrich our academic experience.