True economic growth in Langkawi lives in its hidden gems

ONE day in May, I stood under the morning sun in the rural heart of Langkawi, watching airplanes fly over the padi fields. It was a quiet experience that felt so far away from the island’s busy tourist areas. However, looking past the beauty of the landscape made me think about the reality of the people living there, and I realised our perspective on tourism needs a major shift.

I believe that conversations about Langkawi’s economic growth focus too much on big corporations and not enough on the community’s livelihoods. While the public spotlight usually shines on luxury resorts and tax-free shops, the true backbone of sustainable development lies in the island’s unique small businesses.