LANGKAWI -- The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Dato Sri Tiong King visited Langkawi aiming to strengthen interaction with the tourism-related industry and increase the island's competitiveness on the international tourism platform, as well as promote Langkawi to continue to be a popular tourist destination.

He visited Langkawi on Sunday (Nov 3) beginning his three (3) days and two (2) night working visit to the state which ended on November 5.

During this visit, the Minister and the MOTAC delegation together with the agencies under him paid a courtesy call on Dato' Haji Mohd Salleh Saidin, Chairman of the Kedah State Tourism, Culture and Entrepreneurship Committee. 

Both the state and federal governments exchanged views in an effort to boost tourism development in Kedah.

Also present accompanying YB Minister is, Deputy Secretary General (Tourism), Dr. Yasmeen binti Yasim; Deputy Secretary General (Culture), Dato' Mohd Yusri bin Mohd Yusoff; Deputy Secretary General (Management), Dato' Shaharuddin bin Abu Sohot; and Director General of the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board (Tourism Malaysia), Mr. Manoharan Periasamy.

JOINT MEETING WITH LADA AND MARINE DEPARTMENT

The MOTAC delegation led by its Minister, Dato Sri Tiong King Sing then held a meeting with the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) and the Marine Department to discuss Langkawi's tourism development plans, infrastructure construction and future growth potential. 

The Minister emphasized the importance of increasing the arrival of tourists and ensuring that the development of Langkawi remains sustainable.

Meanwhile, the contractor was given a period of 3 months to immediately complete the work of deepening the seabed and upgrading the jetty.

In the meeting as well, Tiong King Sing urged all parties to resolve the issue of upgrading the Kuala Perlis and Kuala Kedah piers within three (3) months. 

Following the problem of the shallow groove at the jetty affecting the operation of the ferry, Tiong insisted that the upgrading work needs to be completed immediately and if the contractors involved fail, then they need to be considered to be replaced by other contractors who are more serious and committed in completing their work. 

At the same time, we cannot ignore the management of the ferry terminal, because it is the image of the country in the eyes of foreign tourists.

Tiong emphasized that the standard operating procedure (SOP) for security checks must be followed, just like security control at the airport. It is important to improve the security aspect without affecting the comfort of tourists.

"As government policy makers, we cannot wait for a problem to occur before solving it. 

"I have given three (3) months to deal with it. Since the scope of the work involved is very broad, we cannot delay it any longer. All parties involved are requested to improve each effort to solve it!"

Previously, many tourists and businessmen complained about the lack of safety measures and regulations at the jetty. 

In fact, the poor management of the ferry service is also one of the factors that cause tourists to be less interested in traveling to Langkawi.

DEAL WITH INDUSTRY PLAYERS - TOURISM ASSOCIATIONS, HOTELS, COUNTRY BOSTONS, RESTAURANTS AND OTHERS

At the same time, the MOTAC delegation also held an engagement session with industry players including tourism operators and associations as well as tour guides; hotel and homestay operators; operators of tourism products and business operators.

This engagement session aims to hear and get feedback from players in the tourism industry, as well as to understand more deeply the challenges they face. 

In addition, this session also aims to explore new opportunities that have the potential to further boost economic and tourism growth in Kedah.

Representatives from various fields of expertise in the meeting also raised complaints and opinions about the problems faced in Langkawi, including the issue of weak ferry services and transport connectivity; a drastic reduction in airline passengers; poor promotion; overly conservative policies, unsatisfactory quality of tourist bus services and tour guide problems; the rate of tourists staying in hotels is still low; problems of environmental cleanliness and garbage. 

After hearing all the feedbacks, The Minister and department representatives took note and promised to find a solution. 

There is also a demand for increased promotion. Therefore, MOTAC also calls on all parties to increase cooperation with each other so that the publicity of tourism information can be translated into the number of tourists, and a strong cooperative relationship can revitalize the tourism industry in this state.