Langkawi tourism revival: MCA VP outlines five key recommendations

SHAH ALAM - Traders and entrepreneurs in Langkawi must prominently display the prices of all food items and services to ensure transparency and prevent tourists from being misled by unforeseen expenses.

MCA Vice President Datuk Lawrence Low Ah Keong highlighted this as one of the five recommendations to revitalise and restore Langkawi's tourism to its former glory.

Low argued that authorities should be vigilant on the ground to deter vendors from attempting to overcharge customers unfairly.

He stressed the importance of consistent monitoring to prevent merchants from demanding excessive prices and making undue profits through coercion.

"Infrastructural facilities and the public transport system must be improved.

"For example, ferry operation is always consistent and on time, if there is a technical problem, it needs to be replaced with plan B as soon as possible.

"It aims to avoid the problem of delays causing inconvenience to passengers, especially those with small children," he said in a post on Facebook today.

Low also suggested adding new products and elements to Langkawi's attractions beyond the existing Sarang Helang (Eagle Nest) glass bridge and the snorkeling center on Pulau Singa.

He stressed the importance of continual innovation to keep Langkawi as the premier tourist destination in Malaysia.

"It is also important to be reminded that the tourism industry is very broad, and it cannot be controlled by those who are extremists with a narrow mind that has a negative effect.

"In addition, all parties whether the state government, the Federal government and its agencies as well as industry players including tourism operators, immediately sit down to discuss the best solution.

"The effort to promote this is not only to attract the interest of domestic but also foreign tourists.

"A qualified Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) also needs to be appointed immediately," he said.

He said collective effort of all parties to address flaws and deficits are needed to restore Langkawi's tourism to its former glory.

He stressed the need to intensify promotional activities and disseminate positive information.

According to Low, addressing tourism-related issues in Langkawi is not only crucial for the local population but also for the benefit of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).