Langkawi: Do more to unlock island's potential

THE island of Langkawi has offered two things in the past -- it gave birth to many popular legends, including Mahsuri, Dayang Bunting, Telaga Tujuh and Mat Chingchang, and it also welcomed refugees fleeing from the then Kedah-Thailand wars.
Later, our leaders acted wisely to preserve this past steeped in legend and transformed the island into the international tourist paradise that it is today. It is also renowned for hosting exhibitions, conventions and dialogues.

As a result, we now have the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) show, the Langkawi International Regatta and the Langkawi International Dialogue (LID). But what's next?

Firstly, tourist arrivals have dwindled. Standards at our hotels and convention centres have not matched international standards.
The most critical problem is the lack of the "maintenance culture" as seen in such public places as the cable car complex. Confusion over the duty-free status of the island has not been addressed.

Furthermore, according to tourists interviewed, the hotels are just too expensive. Yet, the authorities are going ahead with plans to build more five-star hotels.

Secondly, access to the island leaves much to be desired. Langkawi's location at the northern part of the country could have been the catalyst for more international air carriers, ferry and helicopter transport services.

Langkawi could well become the tourist destination and the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) hub if a strategic plan for this could be finalised, taking into account the potential of the many islands both on the Malaysian and Thailand side.

Thirdly, the local knowledge dimension has yet to be properly packaged and presented.

Both the tangible and intangible aspects of Langkawi's heritage, including the Geo-Park, which is recognised by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), must be widely promoted.

Read more: Langkawi: Do more to unlock island's potential http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/18lanhs/Article/#ixzz1T0txZlnD

AL :-

Agree with the writer.. More potential can be unlock if more prominent figure can lead LADA.. Or special attention to Langkawi like Tun Mahathir.. Maintaince & marketing need to be at the top level to unlock the islands potential..

Fish eye look at Durian Perangin Waterfall.

Durian Perangin Waterfall by JasoWalker

Picture of the day. Durian Perangin waterfall. I just love just walking thru it.

Comment by photographer. 

This is the middle section of the Durian Perangin waterfalls, Shot with a fish eye looking down and towards the north from the second bridge, I do not recommend walking on this bridge as I had a plank fail while I was on it.

Archipelago Hotels and Resorts Assume Management of The Datai Langkawi, Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Archipelago Hotels and Resorts (AHRSB), a new niche player in the high-end luxury hotel and resorts market has been appointed to manage the iconic luxury resort The Datai Langkawi, effective from July 28, 2011.
From this foundation Archipelago Hotels and Resorts is set to expand internationally as a premier luxury city hotel and resort management company.
Franz A. Zeller, Managing Director for Archipelago Hotels and Resorts commented on the new management contract, "It is with great pleasure that our company assumes the management of such a highly acclaimed international resort as The Datai Langkawi. We look forward to enhancing The Datai reputation further by creating truly memorable experiences for our guests. We are excited to grow our company through the management of luxury hotels and resorts around the world," Zeller added.

Source

AL :-

This is new.. Not sure whether its good or bad..

 

Eagle Brahminy Kite

Brahminy Kite

Picture of the day. More by him here.

Comment by Pandiyan.

A tough shot

Shaky boat, low light, unpredictable flight patterns, Arun and Nila distracting me as they tried to get good shots. Difficult set up for catching a bird in flight. I shot almost 20 shots are so. Except for group shots this was the only one passable.

This was in one of those mangrove inlets in Langkawi where the boatmen tempt kites and eagles with fish as a kind of special show for the tourists. As soon as they hear the boat, scores of them swarm the place and it was total pandemonium. If you are there for the first time, it all moves so fast. Some fish thrown in the water and the boat moves away. All these birds swoop down and it is all over in minutes.

I understand there are some animal interest groups calling for a ban. But this is such a lucrative practice it is going to be difficult for that. It would need some serious education, wider perspective and creative options.

This is a Brahminy Kite. The next photo is much more detailed if you want a proper look. But that bird is sitting idle with a bored look as you can expect them to be in an aviary.

Ramadan Bazaar Traders In Langkawi To Undergo Food Management Course

LANGKAWI, July 19 (Bernama) -- A total of 266 traders and hawkers of Ramadan bazaars in Langkawi will be made to undergo courses on food management to ensure clean and quality food are sold for the breaking of fast, said Langkawi Municipal Council president Zabudin Hat.

He told Bernama that the one-day courses was being organised by the council in collaboration with the Health department.

Zabudin said the most of the Ramadan bazaars were in Kuah Padang folowed by Padang Matsirat, Ayer Hangat and Ulu Melaka.

-- BERNAMA

AL :-

Good effort by Langkawi Municipal Council.. Hope this effort continues after Ramadhan.. 

Evaluation On Extension Of Langkawi's Geopark Status

LANGKAWI, July 22 (Bernama) -- Two Unesco officials will be in Langkawi for four days from Monday for an evaluation to determine the extension of its geopark status to 2015.

Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) public relations officer Ramizi Hasan said they would visit several places such as the cable car and Sungai Kilim and attend a briefing on Langkawi Geopark.

They would also evaluate the socio-economic, tourism and beauty aspects of Langkawi, he told Bernama.

Unesco's Global Geoparks Network declared Langkawi a geopark on June 1, 2007.

-- BERNAMA 

AL : 

Good Luck,... Do the best.. 

Oriental Hornbill at Rebak Island

 

Picture of the day. Oriental Hornbill captured by Johnny Wee in Rebak Island Langkawi. I never come across one in Langkawi. Great shot.

Thanks mate for sharing.

Nigel Barker Shares Photography Tips In Langkawi

LANGKAWI, July 23 (Bernama) -- The noted fashion photographer Nigel Barker gave tips on how to capture style and movement at a three-day workshop here which ended today.

The 39-year-old photographer, who is one of the judges in the reality TV show America's Next Top Model, took time off to enjoy the scenery from the North Observation Deck atop Matchinchang mountain.

The Nigel Barker Photography Workshop held at a resort here was organised by Epic Voyage and Panorama Langkawi Sdn Bhd, the Langkawi cable car operator.

There were 25 participants.

Barker, who is in Malaysia for the first time, said that he was impressed with the beauty of Langkawi although he found the weather rather hot.

He heads for Kuala Lumpur today.

-- BERNAMA

AL : Wish i was there.. Just cannot afford the price.. Hehehe..

Painting of Langkawi by Keris Tuah

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Picture of the day. Painting of Langkawi by Keris Tuah. Speechless. More from pictures by him here. Thanks for sharing.

Hong Kong Tourist Arrival To Langkawi Expected To Increase

LANGKAWI, July 14 (Bernama) -- More tourists from Hong Kong are expected in Langkawi with chartered flights introduced this month.

Langkawi Development Authority principal assistant manager for tourism Azmil Munif Bukhari said today there would be eight chartered flights from Hong Kong from Saturday to August 17.

Cathay Pacific will fly 2,400 tourists to Langkawi during the month-long period, he said.

Azmil Munif said that each flight would carry about 300 tourists.

He said that 19,238 tourists from Hong Kong visited Langkawi last year

-- BERNAMA

 

AL :-

Fasting month normally will be low peak season to local tourist. However, great to know Hong Kong tourist will be coming to close the gap..

Tanjung Rhu - Sand Bar

People walking on the sandbar during low tide.

Picture of the day. Tanjung Rhu is quite famous of its sand bar during low tide. However, be in mind that a lot of drowning cases due to this sand bar. Be cautious when crossing it & be aware of the tide. Thanks George for sharing.

Comment :-

Langkawi was great, one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. The beach at Tanjung Rhu was amazing!
All the best,
George

Langkawi Crooked Bridge

Picture of day. Cable car bridge. Thanks to Yusuf for sharing. More from him here.

Firefly to start KLIA-Langkawi flights from December

PETALING JAYA: Firefly will commence flights from KLIA to Langkawi three times daily starting from December.

“Market research has shown there is a good demand for this sector.

“We are utilising our biggest aircraft, which has a seating capacity of 189,” the low-cost airline’s managing director Datuk Eddy Leong said in a statement yesterday.
He added that flights would depart from KLIA’s main terminal.
This would be advantageous for those arriving at KLIA on Malaysia Airlines flights and proceeding to Langkawi on Firefly.

“Our code-share agreement with MAS has facilitated interlining facilities for passenger and baggage check-through. Passengers can also collect their baggage at their final destination.”

According to the statement, passengers could opt for more savings when they purchase Firefly’s bundled set of services which include in-flight meals, seat selection and checked baggage allowance.
Firefly also flies twice daily from Subang to Langkawi and twice daily from Penang to Langkawi.

AL :-

Good news.. More flight means more tourist. 

Kids & the Sunset

Great combination of Sunset color.

Picture of the day. Sunset & kids. Lovely picture. I think this picture was taken in Tanjung Rhu.

More picture from tyrone here. Thanks for sharing mate.

The Langkawi International MTB Challenge 2011 – Asia’s Biggest MTB Race is Back

July 12, 2011 (Kuala Lumpur) – The exhilarating Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge, or simply LIMBC, is back. A prescription for fun and adventure surrounded by nature, the second edition is slated to be held on the mystical island on October 17-23. Organised by Human Voyage (M) Sdn Bhd and sanctioned by the world cycling body UCI and the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF), the five-day race will tempt mountain bike enthusiasts to get back on the bike trail and compete in a protected rainforest area. The tropical landscape challenge guarantees participants an encounter with nature like no other in what is now known as Asia’s ultimate race.
The event, which is officially listed as an international event in the UCI calendar, offers ranking points in the UCI standings for the top 10 finishers. LIMBC 2011 will end with two jamboree rides for social riders of all ages wishing to participate for fun amongst nature, friends and family.

LIMBC – The Tropical Rainforest Challenge 2011 boasts the biggest purse in Asia – with a whopping RM360,000 in cash and lucky draw prizes to be won. Some of the attractive prizes include branded bike equipments and electronic gadgets.
The adventure trail begins with Stage 1 on Oct 18 with the 62km round island race, followed by the cross country Olympic which starts and finishes at Kampung Tok Senik Resort as Stage 2.
Stage 3 is a 7-hour endurance cross country special stage race at Telaga Harbour Park, Pantai Kok, followed by the nerve-shredding King of the Mountain and cross country race which will end at the Gunung Raya Hill as Stage 4, before the event culminates with Stage 5, a cross country short circuit race. The two jamboree rides mark the closing and final day of this much-anticipated race.

Both On-Road and MTB Off-Road Jamboree Ride events are distanced at 40km, with the sole difference that the On-Road Jamboree ride is catered for enthusiasts of road bikes, whereas the Off-Road Jamboree’s trails are designed for mountain bikers wanting more of an off-road adventure.
Human Voyage CEO, Dato’ Abdul Malik Mydin, expects the 2011 edition to be a greater success than the inaugural race.

“As we are aware, mountain biking is one of the fastest growing outdoor sports in the world. The LIMBC – Tropical Rainforest Challenge is where adventure meets nature, designed for all mountain bikers to have fun regardless of their status.

“Above all, as an eco-friendly event, LIMBC is the best tool to promote Langkawi as one of Malaysia’s major touristic destinations,” said Abdul Malik.

full post here.

AL :-

At least this event materialize..

No Sponsor, So This Year's Ironman Langkawi Cancelled

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 (Bernama) -- This year's Ironman Langkawi Malaysia Triathlon has been cancelled due sponsorship problem.

Its director, Datuk A. Chandrakumanan, said the organiser would try to hold the championship next year. The championship was to enter its 12th edition this year.

"The organiser, Syarikat Ironman Malaysia Sdn Bhd, needs RM3 million to hold the event.

"The company is not able to meet the rising cost so we asked the Youth and Sports Ministry to take over as the organiser but have not received positive feedback," he told Bernama.

The organiser had no choice but to cancel the event this year due to time constraint in looking for sponsors and in finding a slot in the World Ironman calendar, he added.

He said that the company would have to pay RM1 million to the ironman's rights holder, World Triathlon Cooperation (WTC), to organise the Langkawi Ironman.

"I will meet the Youth and Sports Ministry to ensure that the championship can be held next year," he said.

The Langkawi Ironman involves 3.8km of swimming, 180.2km of cycling and 42km of running. The championship is one of the qualifying rounds for the world ironman championship in Kona, Hawaii.

The Langkawi Ironman was supposed to be held in February this year.

-- BERNAMA

 

AL :-

More cancelled event. I think the organizer should be more active in finding sponsorship. Its not fair when money not coming it then organiser start asking government to take over. 

I love the event. However, when sponsorship is a problem better call it of.. 

Restoran Antarabangsa Dibangunkan Di Pantai Cenang

LANGKAWI, 12 Julai (Bernama) -- Sebuah restoran antarabangsa akan dibangunkan di Pantai Cenang di sini, yang diharapkan menjadi satu lagi tarikan untuk pelancong terutama pelancong asing.

Restoran antarabangsa itu akan dibangunkan oleh Syarikat Palm Star Sdn Bhd, dan projek itu turut melibatkan pembinaan hotel empat bintang, service apartment dan bangunan perniagaan di atas kawasan seluas 2.48 hektar dengan peruntukan keseluruhannya bernilai RM150 juta.

Pengarah Urusan syarikat berkenaan Datuk Mohd Khay Ibrahim berkata keseluruhan projek itu akan dijalankan dalam tiga fasa.

Katanya restoran antarabangsa itu akan mengandungi beberapa unit iaitu makanan Melayu, Jepun, Arab, Thai, India, Itali dan makanan barat.

"Projek itu adalah satu ikon pelancongan kepada pulau peranginan ini," katanya pada sidang media selepas majlis menandatangani perjanjian pajakan dan pembangunan projek itu di Bangunan Lada di sini Selasa.

Pada majlis itu, Lembaga Pembangunan Langkawi (Lada) yang merupakan pemilik tanah tersebut diwakili oleh Pengurus Besarnya Datuk Azman Umar manakala syarikat itu diwakili oleh Mohd Khay.

Bernama

AL :-

Diharap sistem pembuangan sisa makanan & kumbuhan diteliti dalam projek ini. Sbb lokasi Restoran amat sensitif. Sebarang pencemaran akan boleh menyebabkan kerosakan kepada pantai berdekatan.  

Sunset at Andaman Sea

Exposure: 640 seconds
Aperture: f/7.1
Focal Length: 17mm
ISO: 100

Picture of the day.  Great picture of sunset of Andaman sea. Nice picture taken. Wish i can take one like this in the future. Thanks for sharing the picture mate.. More here.

Comment by mls

This photo was taken on our first day in Langkawi. Sitting on the beach at sunset and looking out at the magnificent Andaman Sea was certainly a highlight of an amazing holiday. We look forward to visiting Langkawi again one day!

Increased Demand For Handicraft Products

LANGKAWI, July 10 (Bernama) -- The overwhelming demand from foreign tourists for handicraft products to take home as souvernirs has helped to expand the handicraft industry, said Malaysian Handicrafts director-general Mohd Kamil Mohd Ali.

He said statistics showed that domestic sales increased by RM26.3 million, from RM243.7 million in 2007 to RM270 million in 2009.

Batik craft was the biggest contributor with 51.4 per cent or RM138.7 million involving handicraft sales in 2009, he added.

Mohd Kamil was speaking at the launch of the Premier Craft Interactive Programme by Langkawi Member of Parliament Datuk Paduka Abu Bakar Taib at the handicraft complex here today.

Three hundred trainees and staff of the Langkawi National Service Training Camp took part in the programme which involved making batik, including batik brushing and colouring competition.

Mohd Kamil said on average, a batik entrepreneur generated products worth about RM253,000 annually.

-- BERNAMA

 

AL :-

Handicrafts are always a demand in the market especially in Langkawi. The problem is hand made Langkawi handicraft products are rare here. More effort to be made by Malaysia Handicraft to boost the handicraft production in Langkawi.

Boat, Ocean & Grass.

Great combination.

Picture of the day. Nice captured picture. Wonder where it is ?

Thanks for sharing teresa. More from her here.

Wang Tok Rendong To Represent Kedah In Homestay Competition

LANGKAWI, July 1 (Bernama) -- The Wang Tok Rendong Homestay in Kuah, here, will represent Kedah in the national-level 'One District, One Industry' competition for the homestay category in Melaka in December.

Langkawi Homestay chairman Mokhtar Shahabudin said that the selection was made at the state-level 'One District, One Industry' showcase in Sungai Petani recently.

The 88-room Wang Tok Rendong Homestay, established in 2002, has 68 operators and known for its successful sea cucumber and marble industries.

The homestay received more than 5,000 domestic and foreign tourists since 2006.

-- BERNAMA

AL :- 

Hope that Langkawi won the competition. 

Snail ~ Pantai Chenang

Snail on the beach

Picture of the day. Snail on the beach? This is something i do not see everyday. Snail normally do not like salt. But wonder how this one can manage.

Thanks for the picture phalin. More from her here.

What a beauty - Sunset by FAYK..

Beautiful sunset picture.

Picture of the day. I'm speechless.

More picture by him here. Thanks for sharing mate.

Comment by him.

Langkawi experience was amazing. I have many more amazing shots of Langkawi still to come, :p

Shark Attack!

Last month. Unfortunately there's a case of Shark bite in Pulau Payar.

And the story goes...

When I first visited Pulau Payar, Langkawi in 2009, I witnessed how tourists were offering bread to those coral reef fishes and there was a session where sharks were fed.  It is a known fact that wildlife feeding will leave an impact to their behavior and diet thus offsetting the balance of their surrounding ecosystem.

I observed some of those Blacktip Reef sharks came very closely to the tourists and I had   the impression that they were not aggressive at all. I was wrong. A recent incident has proven that these sharks are not to be taken for granted.

Some time ago, a guest of mine related her snorkeling experience during the shark feeding session. She was snorkeling and the operator started throwing the food into the water. Seconds later, she was surrounded by those fast swimming sharks. She told me that she was terrified for the fear of getting bitten. Luckily she was left untouched.

 

Full article here.. by Nature Gig..

 

A/L :-

Such a sad story. That's the reason why we do not agree on feeding the fish. Apart from disturb the nature's balance incident like this occurs. Hope the authorities can take action make a permanent guidelines to the operator. Thanks WCHinner for sharing..

 

2011 MTEX In Langkawi Cancelled Due To Financial Reasons

LANGKAWI, June 28 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Tourism Expo 2011 scheduled from Sept 25-28 by the Malaysian Association of Travel and Tour Agencies (Matta) has been cancelled due to financial reasons.

MTEX co-chairman Pishol Ishak said the event was cancelled due to lack of cooperation from a number of airlines that had increased the cost of flights for participating travel agencies although the matter had been discussed a few times.

"Apart from airlines, the Lembaga Pembangunan Langkawi (LADA) is also not able to provide support and cooperation to ensure the success of the event because the agency does not have a budget," he told Bernama here today.

Pishol who is also chairman of the Kedah Matta said the Exco members of Matta who met on June 25 in Kuala Lumpur had made the decision to cancel the event this year and probably hold it in Kuala Lumpur next year.

Matta had chosen Langkawi as the MTEX destination for the past three years as an effort to promote and boost the tourism industry in Langkawi.

-- BERNAMA

AL :

Sad but need to swallow the truth..