LANGKAWI – Langkawi district officer Datuk Abdul Gafar Yahya has urged the Transport Ministry to review the air and sea linkage on the island resort, addressing the growing complaints of alleged shoddy services, profiteering, and price manipulation by service providers.
Speaking at the “Pesta Kahwin” (wedding banquet exhibition) held at the Wings By Croske Hotel here, yesterday, Gafar highlighted the need for sustainable solutions and intervention from the ministry to resolve this long-standing issue that has unsettled the district.
According to Gafar, the current mode of public transport by air and sea is failing to meet the expectations of both tourists and residents.
Flight prices, particularly for last-minute travellers, have been deemed excessively high, making it more cost-effective to fly from Alor Star to Kuala Lumpur International Airport II (KLIA2) than to Langkawi itself.
Additionally, budget travellers relying on ferries are faced with limited daily trips, compared to the previous frequency of up to 10 trips between Kuala Kedah, Kuala Perlis, and Langkawi.
Expressing dismay, Gafar highlighted the issue of domestic tourists queuing to visit southern Thailand instead of choosing Langkawi as their destination.
He also emphasised the need for greater cooperation from the solid waste collection operator to ensure cleanliness throughout the island, not solely within designated tourism zones.
Langkawi Tourism Association President Zainuddin Kadir called for the disbandment of the ferry consortium, citing its inability to meet the demands of both tourists and residents.
The merger of five ferry operators into a consortium resulted in limited trips and frequent breakdowns, compromising the efficiency of services.
Local industry players Ahmad Pishol Isahak emphasised the ongoing struggle for tourism recovery in Langkawi, with only five-star properties and financially stable establishments showing positive performance.
To address these challenges, Pishol called for special price incentives for Langkawi residents travelling by air or sea.
He also advocated for chartered flights and urged the Langkawi Development Authority to focus on increasing tourist arrivals instead of engaging in business activities that compete with local enterprises.
In a concerning development, the five-star resort St Regis has come under receivership after one of its investors withdrew.
The management of the property has been outsourced to Deloitte until new buyers can be found.
Concerns were raised about compromised data on tourist arrivals, which includes individuals coming to Langkawi for work, study, or other purposes, thus distorting the true picture of tourism and hindering effective planning.
Pishol also urged the travel trade to retrain their workers, underscoring the need to restore Langkawi’s renowned trade secret of excellent hospitality, as current standards among travel trade workers were found to lack motivation and professionalism. – The Vibes, June 27, 2023
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