ALOR STAR – The government’s decision on December 7 to allow interstate travel has been a boon to the tourism industry in Kedah, with an increase in the number of visitors to the state, said Kedah Tourism manager Nor Azlan Fitri Abdul Razak.
He said this was based on Kedah Tourism’s survey of several districts, including Kota Setar, Kuala Muda, Yan, Baling, Kulim and Langkawi.
“We found that there is an increase in demand for hotels in several districts, with Pantai Cenang in Langkawi having the most encouraging response. This week, there is a sudden surge of tourists to Langkawi in line with the increased number of ferry trips from Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis.
“We also found that the majority of visitors to Kedah are from Penang, perhaps because most of the tourist spots in their state are still closed,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.
Nor Azlan Fitri said the increased number of tourists, especially in Langkawi, was also due to the great promotions being offered by hotel owners on the island.
“Kedah Tourism has asked them to retain promotional prices until March to attract more tourists to Langkawi and the mainland.
“If there are no more bans on interstate travel after this, we expect to maintain the influx of tourists. This is a positive development for the state’s tourism sector,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said Kedah Tourism is organising the Roadtrip Jom Mai Kedah programme with the cooperation of five overseas YouTubers, aimed at helping to introduce and promote Kedah as a tourism destination in their respective countries. The programme began yesterday.
“The programme involves participants from Germany, Portugal, Canada, the United States and the Philippines, and they will begin their journey in Kota Star, Yan and Kuala Muda before continuing to Baling and Kulim today,” he said. – Bernama, December 14, 2020
