WEEK 9 : SMP32103 SERVICES MARKETING (SULAM)

WEEK 9: VISIT AND INTERVIEW SESSION AT OXALIS HOMESTAY

        On the appointed day, our group gathered early in the afternoon at the Uniciti Alam Campus to begin the journey to the homestay chosen for our project, Oxalis Homestay located in Kangar, Perlis. Everyone was excited and full of enthusiasm, as this visit represented an important phase in our project where we finally had the opportunity to observe and interact directly on site.

        The journey to the homestay took about 40 minutes, and it was a very pleasant drive. As we drove along the rural roads, we were greeted by the peaceful and tranquil scenery of traditional village houses, lush green paddy fields and fresh rural air. The view offered us a sense of peace and tranquility, a welcome relief after a busy week filled with academic assignments, online classes and project planning. It was a reminder of how nature and the rural environment can offer therapeutic value amidst the stresses of student life.

        Upon arrival at Oxalis Homestay, we were warmly greeted by the owner, Kak Shaz, who greeted us with a warm smile and a genuine open-mindedness. His hospitality and warmth immediately made us feel comfortable and appreciated as guests. He invited us into one of the homestay units for a tour and conducted an interview session. This gesture gave us the opportunity to see and experience the real facilities provided to guests.

      The interior of the homestay is impressive. It is neat, clean and carefully arranged, creating a comfortable and welcoming environment. The layout is practical, suitable for a small family or group of up to five people, with spacious rooms and well-maintained furnishings. Each bedroom is equipped with air conditioning, and the homestay also provides Wi-Fi access, which is now considered an essential amenity for the modern traveller. The attention to detail and overall maintenance reflects the owner’s commitment to providing a comfortable stay for guests.

        From a location perspective, Oxalis Homestay is strategically located, allowing easy access to various local attractions around Perlis, such as Gua Kelam, Taman Ular dan Reptilia, and Padang Besar. Kak Shaz emphasized that many guests choose his homestay due to these facilities, especially tourists looking for a peaceful place to stay not far from tourist attractions.

        During the interview, Kak Shaz shared with us a wealth of information related to her experience running a homestay. She described the history of setting up the homestay, including the challenges she faced in the early stages from managing finances to learning how to market her business effectively. She discussed the strategies she used to promote her homestay, such as leveraging social media platforms, online travel agencies, and word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied customers. Her insights provided us with valuable data for our project, especially on entrepreneurship in the tourism and hospitality industry at the local level.

        Kak Shaz answered all our questions patiently, clearly, and with genuine enthusiasm. She also offered her personal views on the growth of tourism in Perlis, expressing her hope that more initiatives would be introduced to help small-scale homestay operators thrive. Her openness and willingness to share real-life experiences allowed us to gain first-hand knowledge that we could not have gained through secondary research alone.

          Overall, the visit to Oxalis Homestay and the interview session with Kak Shaz were an invaluable learning experience for our group. Not only did it deepen our understanding of how homestays operate in a real-world context, but it also improved our communication and teamwork skills. More importantly, it fostered a greater appreciation for the local entrepreneurs who contribute significantly to the rural tourism landscape. The insights we gained from this visit will play a key role in shaping the analysis and direction of our project, and we are grateful for the opportunity to be directly involved with a community-based, future-oriented business.