Island paradise: Aside from its duty-free shopping, Langkawi is known for its many resorts in sheltered coves and beaches.
LANGKAWI: Despite facing fierce rivalry from neighbouring tourist spots, Langkawi has held on to its position as a premier holiday destination in the northern region with more tourist arrivals.
The island resort welcomed 2.9 million visitors last year, generating an estimated RM7.03bil in tourism receipts.
This was markedly higher than the RM6.43bil revenue recorded in 2023 with 2.81 million tourists, said Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) chief executive officer Datuk Haslina Abdul Hamid. She said the substantial increase in spending from last year’s arrivals showed Langkawi was attracting high-spending tourists and cementing its position as a prime destination.
This is evident from the two significant milestones achieved last year – the highest international tourism receipts (RM5.1bil) and the highest number of international arrivals (1.7 million). The previous records were set in 2018, with international tourism receipts of RM4.638bil and 1.54 million international arrivals.
Lada’s efforts to enhance the experiences and services offered in Langkawi appeared to be yielding substantial economic benefits, she said.
“The growth is not just reflected in the numbers but also in the broader impact on Langkawi’s economy and local communities.
“The tourism industry’s high multiplier effect is fostering economic development, creating job opportunities, and supporting small and medium enterprises,” she said.
Furthermore, she said community initiatives and sustainable tourism practices have enriched the island’s appeal to both domestic and international visitors.
Aside from its duty-free shopping, Langkawi is known for its many resorts in sheltered coves and beaches.
Haslina said the archipelago’s uniqueness versus places such as Penang and Haadyai was its natural landscapes and world-class tourism offerings.
“As South-East Asia’s first Unesco Global Geopark, Langkawi is home to 500-million-year-old rock formations, pristine beaches and lush rainforests offering an unparalleled eco-tourism experience.
“Visitors can immerse themselves in the Dream Forest, explore the Kubang Badak BioGeoTrail or take an ATV ride across Pulau Tuba.
“Nautical enthusiasts will appreciate the island’s three marinas and a luxury cruise terminal, while seafood lovers can indulge in fresh, halal-friendly local delicacies,” she said.
She said that Langkawi hosted over 50 annual events including Ironman Langkawi and Langkawi International Royal Regatta.
Haslina expected more airlines to offer direct flights to Langkawi.
And with Malaysia having extended visa exemption for citizens from China and India until Dec 31, 2026, she said more chartered and scheduled flights are expected from these two countries.
Hospitality and tourism player Datuk Alexander Isaac said Langkawi was packed with tourists during the just concluded school holidays.
“We expect more to come during the next school break and festive periods this year,” he said.
Alexander, who is also Langkawi Business Association advisor, said the influx of visitors, mostly locals, created a healthy competition among business owners, which is beneficial for tourists. He said most of the hotels in the island were fully booked during the recent holiday season.
Duty-free shop owner Loke Seng Chee, 50, said there is still room for improvement, especially on the promotion of the island as a prime destination.
“People like to go to Pantai Cenang, but Kuah town is a bit quieter than before,” he said, adding that authorities should plan more events to enhance the town’s appeal.
