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..