The “Jewel of Kedah” is losing its shine – the number of visitors to Langkawi has been shrinking since September 2023. It will miss its targeted visitor arrivals for 2023 by at least half a million. Since September, it had on a month-on-month drop of almost 20% compared to 2022 (this is according to the Langkawi Development Authority). These monthly tabulations comprised arrivals at the jetty, marinas, airport and sea port in Langkawi. There is a “great need” to rebuild Langkawi’s image as a global island hideaway.
The first thing foreign guests ask upon checking in is whether they can wear bikinis or short pants at beaches. Many are worried about being publicly castigated for it.
In September, Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister told the Dewan Rakyat that his ministry had received reports about non-Muslim travellers to Langkawi being stopped from buying alcohol and wearing shorts in public, besides other complaints about high food prices there. However, Kedah Mentri Besar dismissed these complaints as baseless.
An even bigger fiscal barrier is the cost of flights. If you bring your whole family from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi, the flight tickets alone can cost over RM3,000, almost twice the cost during pre-pandemic times. The declining number of visitors to Langkawi is a stark contrast to 2022 scenario when the island saw a buoyant recovery after Covid-19 pandemic restrictions were lifted with 2,581,605 arrivals recorded.
Many are angry with the negative publicity. But the state government is in a quandary – to impose strict Islamic regulations like Kelantan or be more progressive like Qatar or Dubai. Unless they get this picture clear and promote accordingly, Langkawi will be a forgotten island! There is always Phuket or Bali for foreigners. So, what’s so special about Langkawi?
Reference:
Reboot Langkawi as island paradise, Arnold Loh, The Star, 18 November 2023
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