Tourism Groups Respond To Deputy Tourism Minister's Plan For Langkawi With Disappointment
More than six industry players and politicians have publicly opposed the government's plan to promote Langkawi exclusively to Muslim tourists.
Many tourism groups, industry players, and hoteliers have voiced their opposition to the government's proposal to promote Langkawi as a Muslim-preferred destination
Their criticism against the move comes after Deputy Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Khairul Firdaus Akhbar Khan said in parliament on Monday, 24 June, that the ministry intends to promote the island as a Muslim-preferred and family-oriented destination, focusing on the spiritual aspect.
"We acknowledge that Langkawi faces stiff competition from islands in neighbouring countries.
"Therefore, we are exploring to position Langkawi as a favoured Muslim island destination, emphasising family-oriented leisure and recreation," he told the Dewan Rakyat
The statement has drawn support from the Kedah state government, with its Tourism, Culture, and Entrepreneur Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Salleh Saidin saying that the initiative aligns with the state's plan to diversify promotions for the Visit Kedah Year 2025 campaign, reported the New Straits Times.
"We see a significant potential to attract travellers from the Middle East following the commencement of Flydubai's direct flight to Langkawi in February this year.
"Therefore, we fully support [the ministry's] proposal to promote Langkawi as a Muslim-friendly destination," he said yesterday, 25 June.
Deputy Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Khairul Firdaus Akhbar Khan.
However, not many shared Mohd Salleh's views, with a hotelier saying that promoting Langkawi exclusively as a Muslim destination could be counterproductive
"Langkawi has long enjoyed support from Arabs and other Middle-Eastern visitors, but we must not alienate other international tourists. The island currently attracts a diverse mix of European, Chinese, Australian, and American visitors," Malaysian Association of Hotels' Kedah/Perlis chapter chairman Eugene Dass told the New Straits Times.
He assured that Langkawi hotels are already well-equipped to cater to Muslim tourists, with halal certification, halal restaurants, and appropriate amenities already in place.
Instead, he said the government should facilitate better management and maintenance, ensuring a consistent water supply as water shortages had severely impacted the travellers' experience on the island.
Kedah Tourist Guide Association president Mohd Firdaus Abu Bakar also said that Langkawi should not be promoted to only Muslim travellers
"The concept is promising, but various aspects need thorough consideration. Currently, it makes little impact as Langkawi hosts tourists from diverse countries depending on the season or month.
"Our focus should be on educating locals to uphold cleanliness, avoid unjustified price hikes for tourists, always wear a welcoming smile in line with our customs, and consistently express gratitude.
"This applies nationwide. It's not that our people are unwelcoming. But in comparison to Thailand, their friendliness towards tourists surpasses ours, which significantly attracts them," Firdaus explained.
He added that whether a traveller is Muslim or not does not make a difference for Langkawi, saying that promoting the island to both Muslim and European countries is welcome.
According to The Star, Malaysian Tourism Federation president Datuk Tan Kok Liang also disagreed with the government's plan, explaining that Langkawi has been promoted to the European, Indian, and Chinese markets over the past 30 years.
"Why rock the boat or reinvent the wheel unless the island tourism players are in dire need of more tourists in expansion plans?
"Would this marketing thrust be counterproductive?" he asked.
MCA vice-president Wee Jeck Seng also criticised the government's plan as narrow-minded and lacking foresight
"Langkawi is renowned as an inclusive destination known for its duty-free policies and pristine beaches, attracting tourists worldwide.
"Redefining it for Muslim tourism could diminish its allure and lead to financial losses," the Tanjung Piai lawmaker said, reported FMT.
Meanwhile, hotelier Datuk Alexander Issac stated that marketing Langkawi as a Muslim-preferred destination will not impact other types of tourists
He noted that the promotional approach to attract tourists from different markets has been in use for years, successfully attracting visitors from around the globe.
"What we need are more direct flights and good jetties at Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis, with better dredging done to ensure ferries operate on schedule and not according to tides," Issac told The Star.
He also suggested that the ministry conduct extensive international campaigns to promote Langkawi, highlighting its UNESCO Global Geopark, mountains, and rock formations, some of which date back 500 million years.
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