PENGLIBATAN KOMUNITI DALAM PROGRAM HOMESTAY BERASASKAN EKOPELANCONGAN: KAJIAN KES DI KAMPUNG SERI SERBANG BONGAWAN, PAPAR, SABAH.

ABSTRACT The ecotourism-based homestay program is often associated with the involvement of rural communities as the main driver of developing rural tourism. However, in the early stages of the establishment of homestay in Kg. Seri Serbang, there are some challenges that are forced to face by this program sponsor such as community members who are less interested in participating, less knowledge and less confident about the benefits of the homestay program. However, through support by the Ministery of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Sabah and the Ministry of Rural Development, Sabah, homestay program was successfully introduced in this village. Community involvement in ecotourism activities has become one of the alternatives of new economic and employment activities based on ecotourism activities as well as helping meet the demand and needs of domestic and international tourists to visit this village. The main approach of this study is qualitative study. The data collection method used in this study is an in-depth interview with Participants and Homestay Committee Kg. Seri Serbang. The results showed that the local community in Kg. Seri Serbang began to show interest in participating after several individuals showed success through their involvement in the ecotourism-based homestay program. However, the challenge is still faced by most homestay participants in this kg such as competition with private accommodation operators in the area or town of Bongawan. While the issue of riverbank erosion and efforts to maintain wildlife such as monkey battle and fireflies are a big challenge for the sustainability of homestay and ecotourism programs to continue to attract tourists to this village in the future.   ABSTRAK  Program homestay berasaskan ekopelancongan sering dikaitkan dengan penglibatan komuniti luar bandar sebagai penggerak utama membangunkan pelancongan desa. Namun, pada peringkat awal penubuhan homestay di Kg. Seri Serbang ini terdapat beberapa cabaran yang terpaksa dihadapi oleh penaja program ini seperti ahli komuniti kurang berminat untuk turut serta, kurang pengetahuan dan kurang yakin terhadap faedah yang diperolehiari program homestay. Namun, melalui sokongan oleh pihak Kementerian Pelancongan, Budaya dan Alam Sekitar, Sabah bersama Kementerian Pembangunan Luar Bandar, Sabah program homestay berjaya diperkenalkan di kampung ini. Penglibatan komuniti dalam aktiviti ekopelancongan menjadi salah satu alternatif kegiatan ekonomi dan pekerjaan baru berasaskan aktiviti ekopelancongan sekaligus membantu memenuhi permintaan serta kehendak pelancong domestik dan antarabangsa untuk berkunjung ke kampung ini. Pendekatan utama kajian ini adalah kajian kualitatif. Kaedah kutipan data melalui temu bual mendalam adalah bersama peserta dan Jawatankuasa Homestay Kg Seri Serbang. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa komuniti setempat di Kg. Seri Serbang ini mula menunjukkan minat untuk turut serta setelah beberapa individu menunjukkan kejayaan melalui penglibatan mereka dalam program homestay berasaskan ekopelancongan ini. Walau bagaimana pun cabaran masih lagi dihadapi oleh kebanyakan peserta homestay di kampung ini seperti berlakunya persaingan dengan pengusaha penginapan swasta yang ada di kawasan pekan Bongawan ini. Manakala isu hakisan tebing sungai dan usaha untuk mengekalkan hidupan liar seperti monyet bangkatan dan kelip-kelip merupakan cabaran besar untuk kelestarian program homestay dan ekopelancongan agar terus berjaya menarik kehadiran pelancong ke kampung ini pada masa depan.