Abstract:
The objectives of this research were to ascertain the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) physical housing conditions for supporting tourists through “ASEAN Homestays.” This was achieved by comparing and analyzing the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan 2011-2015, the Final ASEAN Homestay Standard 2015, and the empirical fieldwork data. Fieldwork data was collected through participant observations in Homestay communities. The populations of this research included all 100 Homestays which are listed in the ASEAN Homestay Directory 2010, which consists of the ASEAN standard Homestays in the following 8 countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. By utilizing a purposive sampling technique, a sample was taken from each of the 8 Homestay countries. The 8 ASEAN standard Homestay samples are (1) Baitul Wajihah Homestay - Mukim Pengalan - Brunei Darussalam (2) Chiphat Homestay – Koh Kong – Cambodia (3) Jati Homestay - Bali - Indonesia (4) Ban Phonsim Homestay – Savannaket – Laos. (5) Miso Walai Homestay – Sandakan – Malaysia (6) Papaw Village – Ngaung Chwe – Myanmar (7) Koh Yao Noi Homestay – Phang Nga – Thailand (8) Homestay at Mr.Dao Thanh’s house – Sapa – Vietnam. The hosts of the sampled ASEAN Homestays, each of which have already conformed to the 2010 ASEAN Homestay standard, were informed to adjust their characteristics to comply with the new 2015 ASEAN Homestay Standards. Improving the ASEAN Homestay management in order to meet the new ASEAN Homestay standard is necessary, but the existing physical house and surrounding area must have minimal disturbance. The fieldwork data shows that 75 percent of Homestays architecture conforms to the meaning of "Vernacular Homestay.
Developing a tourism experience and product that will encompass regions for the major areas were identified in the strategy plan including cultural and heritage tourism. Not only will the Vernacular Homestay and the authenticity way of life will be harmonized to the cultural ASEAN tourism strategy, but developing a common set of principle needs in the house and their architecture should also be harmonized.
