THE INVOLVEMENT OF WOMEN IN HOMESTAY BUSINESS: A PRELIMINARY STUDY IN SABAH, MALAYSIA

This paper discusses the involvement of women in homestay business, in relating to reasons or motives for their involvement, external supports available for women to take up homestay business and current level of involvement of women in Sabah, in homestay business. This research was carried out via small-scale face-to-face depth interview with 5 female homestay coordinators in Sabah, in which the samples were drawn from MOTAC’s list of homestay coordinators. The data was analysed according to similar codes and categories in relating to entrepreneurship motives and supports. The results indicated women are driven by opportunity as well as necessity for taking up a homestay business. In addition, they are influenced by various external supports like government assistance program, local community supports, business infrastructures and non-government initiatives to successfully run their business. Based on the result of depth interviews, this study postulated that the involvement of women in homestay business is still low compared to male. Most of the homestay coordinators are mainly among the males, whereas the females are more active as helpers to the business. This study contributed to some insights on what motivates women to involve in business, particularly in homestay business, and important support needed by women entrepreneurs in managing their homestay business. My original contribution to this study is to encourage / train/ empower more women to take the role of homestay coordinator business leader in the field of homestay business.

کلیدواژه ها:

Women ، Homestay ، Entrepreneurship