KnE Social Sciences

Published date: Dec 03 2025

Journal Title: KnE Social Sciences

Issue title: The 5th International Conference on Tourism, Gastronomy, and Tourist Destination (TGDIC 2025)

Pages: 125 - 135

DOI: 10.18502/kss.v10i29.20258

Shella Georgina Beatricesbeatrice@swinburne.edu.mySwinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Kuching

Ngui Kwang SingSwinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Kuching

This study explores the training needs of rural tourism entrepreneurs within the Bidayuh indigenous community in Serian, Malaysia. While rural tourism provides a valuable platform for indigenous communities to engage in sustainable development and cultural preservation, participation remains constrained by limited entrepreneurial capacity and contextual training opportunities. Grounded in Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory and Entrepreneurial Learning Theory, this research investigates how training experiences influence rural entrepreneurship and tourism practices among the Bidayuh. A qualitative multiple case study approach was employed, involving focus group discussions across five villages. Participants were selected based on their active involvement in homestays, eco-tourism, and cultural tourism initiatives. Findings reveal that while participants benefited from training in hospitality, safety, and tourism management, challenges such as low literacy, digital access barriers, and language difficulties hindered full application. Motivations for training participation included economic advancement, service quality improvement, and regulatory compliance. However, current training programs often fail to consider local realities, cultural values, and experiential learning preferences. Participants emphasized the importance of hands-on learning, peer mentoring, and culturally relevant content. This study recommends community-driven, context-sensitive training that integrates mentorship and ongoing support networks. It also calls for inclusive strategies targeting women and youth and aligning training initiatives with local knowledge systems. The research contributes practical and theoretical insights to help policymakers, educators, and development agencies design more effective capacity-building programs. Ultimately, this work supports a more inclusive and sustainable rural tourism model that empowers indigenous communities economically and culturally.

Keywords: rural tourism development, experiential learning, entrepreneurial training, indigenous community

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