UPDATE 4 WEEK 9 (19-22/5/2025): Applications of 4p’s (interview sessions in Ruma Puteh Homestay) & Contribution of Group Members

UPDATE 7 WEEK 9 (19/5/2025): Applications of 4p’s (interview sessions in Ruma Puteh Homestay)

Applications of 4p’s (interview sessions)

Product (service Offered)

1. what types of services and facilities do you provide?

- 3 rooms with air condition 

- ⁠laundry

- ⁠private pool

- ⁠bbq set

- ⁠netflix, wifi, smart tv

2.  How do you decide which services or features to include in your homestay?

- based on experience, what the owner want and needs so he fulfill to their homestay

- suggestions from customers

- ⁠want to make customers as comfortable as they can

3. Have you received any feedback from the guest about your services? How do you respond to it? 

- 99.9 percent positive since they always upgrading their accommodation 

- ⁠return customers// suggest to friends

Price 

1. How do you determine the pricing for your homestay?

Pricing is based on competitors that offering the similar features such as a private pool and car park in the same area.

2. Have you made any price adjustments recently? What influenced those decisions?

 A small adjustment was made—from RM400 to RM450, then RM460—based on friends' suggestions while maintaining affordability.

3. Do you offer any discounts or packages for certain groups (exp: families, long stays)?

The rate is mostly fixed at RM460 for long stays or returning guests, with minor discounts during the fasting month whether new or returning guest.

Note: Tent services incur additional charges.



Place (Distributions)

1. Through which platforms or channels do you promote and manage bookings (exp:

Airbnb, Facebook, agents)?

As a result of the interview, the owner said that the platforms used to manage bookings include Facebook, WhatsApp and Airbnb and it has succeeded in attracting customers not only from this country but also from Singapore.

 

Which channel do you find most effective in reaching your customers?

Channel that the owner find the most effective in reaching customer is TikTok, this is because the owner found out that TikTok is most widely used by people today. The owner often creates live TikTok and content to gain views and ensure that his homestay is known by many people, not only from Perlis but throughout Malaysia and neighbouring countries. As a result, most of the customers who make reservation are from TikTok.

What challenges do you face in reaching more potential customers?

At first, the problem of getting customers was about competing with sere all homestays around Perlis. Besides is finding customers during the fasting month, not many customers get orders and have to do promotions to get them.

Promotion (Communication)

What promotional strategies do you use to attract new guests?

To attract new guests, the primary promotional strategy is leveraging TikTok. The homestay consistently creates content related to homestays every week to gain engagement.

Do you use social media or digital marketing? If yes, how effective has it been?

Yes, social media, specifically TikTok, is used. It plays a significant role and has been highly effective, reaching tens of thousands of viewers. This indicates a substantial reach and positive impact on visibility.

How do you encourage past guests to return or recommend your homestay?

-To encourage past guests to return or recommend the homestay, the following approaches are taken:

Exceptional Service and Hospitality: The focus is on providing excellent service and hospitality to ensure guests feel valued and comfortable. This helps prevent negative experiences that would deter repeat visits.

Prompt Problem Solving: If any issues arise, the owner addresses them immediately without delay.

-This proactive approach enhances guest satisfaction.

Targeted Promotions for Existing Customers: The homestay provides special promotional offers or suggestions to existing customers. This encourages repeat business and strengthens customer loyalty.

Reflection and Management 

1. What is the most challenging part of managing a homestay business?

At Ruma Puteh there are also several challenges and obstacles that faced by Ruma Puteh. One of them is the internal infrastructure. This is because Ruma Puteh also experiences challenges such as electrical problems, water problems and so on. For example, there are days when customers or guests staying at Ruma Puteh experience several problems such as electrical issues suddenly there is no blackout, this is very worrying especially for small children if they are staying as a big family. So, the owner of Ruma Puteh has also taken efficient and quick initiative steps so that customers feel comfortable to stay in their Home.

2. ⁠ How do you ensure quality service and customer satisfaction? 

To ensure the quality of the house and also the satisfaction of customers staying at Ruma Puteh is to improve the quality of goods and also the service of goods that available at Ruma Puteh. For example, they also put a food pantry in Ruma Puteh for the convenience of the customers themselves if they are too lazy to go out at least the food pantry is provided for the comfort of the customers.Apart from that, they have also upgraded several facilities such as by further expanding the area of ​​the house to be more spacious, especially for guests with large families, they can hold activities inside the house. Not only that, they have also upgraded several other facilities such as the swimming pool and also the level of air conditioning so that it is in good condition.

3. ⁠ Can you share a valuable lesson you've learned from running this business? 

The valuable lesson they learned is that they can have experience in running a homestay. In addition, they can also earn more income and have valuable experience by running their clients, gaining views by doing video content on tiktok and others



WEEK 9 (22/5/2025): Contribution of Group Members

Our group is composed of dedicated individuals who each played vital roles in the success of this group project. 

Nur Batrisyia Beh Xin Yuan served as a team leaders, effectively organizing meetings, assigning tasks and ensuring that the project stays on schedule. She also contributed during the interview which she asked for Place strategy that the owner want and choose. 

Next, Fatin Nur Afiqah focused on asking the homestay owner Promotion that they provide or give especially during special events like Hari Raya or school holidays.

Besides, Nur Anisa Fitria Putri took charge on the last part which is reflection to know the owner personal insight, challenges that he face and future improvements that he wants to make. 

Siti Julaikha contributed to ask the homestay owner about Product that they provide to make their homestay special. This also make us know the difference between Ruma Puteh Homestay with other homestay. 

Lastly, Joanne Tan Gim Lean took charge on the Price strategy which how the owner decide to put the price based on the facilities that Ruma Puteh provide. 

Each members brought unique strengths to the group and our collaborative efforts were essential to achieving our goals