*Rakyat" which targets young entrepreneurs were carried out while "YB Corner" is for those interested to start their own business such as food stalls'* (respondent 6).

Initiatives to develop homestay programs are one of the effective ways of enabling local communities in SME projects. As part of government initiatives to boost local economy, a homestay program is a form of family business operated by some certified homestay operators approved by the Ministry of Tourism. Initiatives of developing small scale enterprises that are locally owned by families or village communities will be able to promote product creativity and innovation in tourism services [37]. Homestay operators were trained and granted licenses after a series of courses. Licenses would only be issued after inspections by the Ministry of Health on cleanliness and safety of bathroom, kitchen, and rooms. Subsequently, for infra‐ structure aid, '*the government gives subsidies by building activity halls for special activities with guests,*' claimed a community leader from Homestay Sungai Itau (respondent 7). Respondent 9 also added that '*they helped us to build extra washrooms for guests*'. Through proper planning and management, homestay programs would be able to help local communities to achieve sustainable development.

In order to strengthen entrepreneurial and develop tourism capacities of fishing communities in Kilim and Tanjung Rhu, local people also carry out complementary activities to tourism and catering business. Local fishermen can supplement their regular income by selling their catches to tourists. Chairman of *Komuniti Pengurusan Ekosistem Perikanan (KPSP) Tanjung Rhu* (respondent 13) explained that '*we conduct other businesses related to fishing activities such as project "Bela Siput" to have more seafood products to sell to tourists in the local seafood restaurants*'*.* Also, members from NGOs are encouraged to create more tourist-orientated products to fulfil the needs and expectations of tourism destination.

In addition, Secretary of Hock Kean Hoay Kuan Association (respondent 14) also agreed with the view by saying that '*locals need to sell unique products that tourists cannot get in other states in Malaysia or other places; we cannot just keep importing products from Thailand or else Langkawi will lose its own identity eventually'*. An orchid farmer shared his view that the existence of orchid farms can generate a new tourism product—Agro-tourism by '*bringing new life for Langkawi tourism…enhance the attractiveness and provide a memorable farm experience for visitors, as a new form of tourism to help locals economically and increase employment rate*' (respondent 15). In response to the development of the new and innovative tourism product in Langkawi, respondent 11 has different views compared to other respondents, when she opined that, '*the existing tourism products are adequate to cover tourists' demand and requirement currently, the local community just needs to focus on proper maintenance and periodic improvement of tourism products and destinations*.' Respondent 19 also gave his view by stating that '*instead of focusing on firstclass infrastructure, the local government needs to improve livelihoods of locals by providing more basic infrastructure to fulfil the needs of tourists such as public toilets, parking lots and signages*'.

Capacity building in terms of bringing innovation in tourism will enable the introduction of new products to the market, or open up new markets through combining strategic orientation with innovative behaviour and process: new products, new services, opening new markets, new sources of supply, and new ways of management practice [38]. Therefore, for the purpose of strengthening community capacity in tourism activities, related stakeholders such as government officials, NGOs, community leaders, and private companies have been increas‐ ingly putting efforts into entrepreneurship development and tourism products innovation to spur the local economy and fostering a healthier entrepreneurship climate in Langkawi.
