TOURISM industry stakeholders on the island resort of Langkawi have extended an open invitation to Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing to have a series of dialogues and engagements on how to boost the situation here.
Managing director of cruise services company Tropical Charters Sdn Bhd, Datuk Alexander Isaac, who has formed local interest groups on tourism issues, said that Tiong is most welcome to come over in view that Langkawi is seen as a top holiday destination in the country.
It is arguably the only district in the country which caters almost entirely to tourism, he said.
"We understand that the good minister has had unsavoury feedback about the island, and we hope we can expand on it over how to improve tourism," he said.
Alexander said that there have been some misinterpretations about tourism in Langkawi which were fuelled by parties with vested interests.
"We hope to use the occasion of Tiong's visit to find ways to ensure that Langkawi discovers its magic to be a preferred destination for Malaysia," he said.
As the ringgit depreciates, tourism can be one economic sector that can help stimulate the economy as the relatively low currency is a good lure for foreigners to vacation in Malaysia.
Alexander said that although tourism has slowly improved compared to the slump experienced during the Covid-19 lockdowns,it will take time to regain its momentum on par with the years before the pandemic.
Back to basics
Tiong has been critical of the Kedah state government's handling of Langkawi, and even had a spat over the media with the equally outspoken Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammed Sanusi Md Nor.
Sanusi had last year refuted Tiong's claims about prohibitions imposed by the state, insisting that there were no laws in place against wearing of shorts or consumption of alcohol in Langkawi.
Tiong was quoted as saying that Langkawi has lost its lustre as a destination, pointing out that tourists rely heavily on internet reviews and social media feedback.
"Despite the government having made substantial investments to promote the island as a top tourist destination, the numbers are low," he reportedly said, adding that the Kedah state government holds much responsibility for the island's development.
Meanwhile, Alexander’s views were backed by industry veteran Ahmad Pishol Isahak, who voiced the need for both the government and private sector to come together on this matter.
"Malaysia actually a top-notch tourism destination in the region,” he said.
“We even started (the industry) earlier than Thailand but over the past decades we seem to have stagnated.
“Although much of the tourism challenge has to do with the overall economy such as living costs, there is room for us to seek improvement."
Pishol is an advocate for the country to return to the basics of tourism with main emphasis on hospitality standards and creating exciting tourism products.
He also called for focus on eco-tourism to be restored, in light of Langkawi's natural assets and its listing as a Unesco Geopark. – The Vibes, February 26, 2024.
