The Central Terengganu Development Authority (KETENGAH), in collaboration with the Institut Kemajuan Desa (INFRA), Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), successfully organised the 2025 KETENGAH Region Homestay Introduction Course on 2 October 2025 at Bukit Besi Golf Club (KGBB), Bukit Besi, Dungun, Terengganu Darul Iman, in preparation for Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2026.

The course brought together 64 participants, comprising operators of homestays, guesthouses, chalets, houseboats, and floating houses from three districts within the KETENGAH region: Dungun, Kemaman, and Hulu Terengganu. The closing ceremony was officiated by Tuan Haji Ahmad Fakaruddin bin Ahmad, Deputy General Manager (Operations), representing YM Dato’ Tengku Ahmad Nadzri bin Tengku Musa, General Manager of KETENGAH.

The event was enlivened with showcases of local heritage, including Terengganu Jawi Silat performances, Tumbuk Emping cultural performances, mengkuang weaving demonstrations, and sales of Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) products. Also in attendance were division managers, unit heads of KETENGAH, Puan Asmah binti Mohd Yusoff, Assistant Director of INFRA TVET Excellence and Certification Centre, and Puan Mazshida binti Ruslal, Director of MOTAC Terengganu, both of whom also served as speakers and facilitators for this 7th course series.

The course provided participants with an understanding of the official homestay registration requirements under MOTAC, as well as guidance on management, marketing, and enhancing service quality to remain competitive in today’s tourism industry.

Overall, the course successfully achieved its objectives under the Rural Tourism Master Plan and is expected to serve as a motivational platform for empowering homestay operators, boosting local economic development, and contributing to community-based rural tourism growth within the KETENGAH region.