Langkawi

[dean87]

wow nice....

[shah_ho_nam]

i will dig pics on langkawi later on. contributing ...

[nazrey]

Jetty Point, Langkawi
Main entrance to Jetty Point, shopping mall for duty-free shopping.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/khalzur...7622582501851/

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr

[nazrey]

Kuah Town
image hosted on flickr

[nazrey]

Plan To Make Langkawi Shine Again As Tourist Draw
August 08, 2010 14:01 PM
http://bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=519737

LANGKAWI, Aug 8 (Bernama) -- The federal government plans to redevelop Langkawi's tourism potential to revive the glory days of the resort island off Kedah.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said measures would be taken under the 10th Malaysia Plan (2011-2015) to enable Langkawi regain a prominent place on the tourism map.

The government would come up with a list of projects in a few months' time as part of the redevelopment plan, he said.

"Langkawi has a lot of potential but it is not fully utilised. There is much we can do, particularly with the attractive natural surroundings," he said to reporters after opening a seminar on the development of Langkawi on Sunday.

Nor Mohamed said Langkawi should rightly be a niche product for the tourism sector.

"If Thailand can boast of Phuket, Koh Samui and Krabi, and Indonesia, of Bali, then surely Malaysia can be proud of its own islands, of which Langkawi is the most popular," he said.

He said the government had spent a lot in previous five-year plans to develop Langkawi's economy and had undertaken a major transformation of the island.

"Nevertheless, the government is not satisfied yet. We have to spend a little more to enable Langkawi to realise its maximum potential as a tourist draw," he said.

Nor Mohamed said the government might have to make available skillful tour agents who could target high-spending tourists, and added that there was a proposal to set up a tourism academy to train such manpower.

"We have to also resolve what seem to be small problems but which have a major impact on tourism. For example, it is said that operators of hire cars have to pay RM6,000 in insurance premiums per car annually," he said.

Nor Mohamed said there had been proposals to establish a university in Langkawi as well as hospitals to cater to tourists.

"We will look at these proposals. Medical tourism is important. Tourists who come for medical treatment demand well-equipped hospitals," he said.

On a proposal to build a five-kilometre bridge connecting Langkawi to Tuba Island in the Langkawi chain, he said the government would go ahead with the project if the cost-benefit analysis was favourable.

There are 99 islands in the Langkawi chain but only two -- Langkawi and Tuba -- are inhabited.

-- BERNAMA

[nazrey]

Plan to revive cruise tourism
By LEE YUK PENG Sunday August 8, 2010
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...508&sec=nation

LANGKAWI: Malaysia wants to take cruise tourism to new heights by becoming the “playground of the East” now that China is showing keen interest in the sector.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said the Government was determined to revive the cruise tourism it started more than 10 years ago.

“Cruise tourism can be made into our frontline industry. We will be conducting more research on this.

“The whole product will take on a new dimension with China keen to be involved in cruise tourism, in and out of their country,” she told reporters at The Datai resort here on Friday.

Dr Ng was accompanying China’s Tourism Minister Shao Qiwei on a visit to Pulau Payar Marine Park after spending a night at the luxury yacht Lily Marleen, a floating hotel, here.

She said there were ports in Langkawi, Kuantan, Penang, Klang and Johor Baru, which were deep enough for yachts and cruise ships to berth.

China currently does not have high-end cruise tourism products.

Dr Ng said out of the 2.2 million foreign tourists to Langkawi last year, 130,000 were from China.

“As at May, tourists from China have increased by 5% as compared to the same period last year,” she said, adding that Malaysia will be having more promotion activities in China.

Speaking to reporters, Shao said Malaysia was one of the top tourism destinations for Chinese nationals.

[tomkat]

Where are the trees? Where are the landscape? Doesn't have the "island" feel to it.

Originally Posted by nazrey

Kuah Town
image hosted on flickr

[nazrey]

12 Countries Invited For Langkawi International Junior Tennis Championships
August 18, 2010 15:09 PM
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/state...t=nt&id=522045

LANGKAWI, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- Organizers of the Langkawi Geopark International Youth Tennis Championships have invited 12 countries to participate in the tournament to be held in December.

Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) Tourism Manager Megat Sharul Azman Abas said among countries invited were South Korea, Uzbekistan, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.

"The invitations were sent out by the Langkawi Lawn Tennis Association who will stage the event from Dec 10-14," he told reporters after chairing an organizing committee meeting here Wednesday.

He added that 200 local and international participants are expected to participate in the various age group categories, namely 10, 12, 14 and 16, featuring boys and girls singles and doubles.

-- BERNAMA

[rizalhakim]

Dr M opposes Langkawi bridge project
By Bernama
Monday, 23 August 2010 13:19

LANGKAWI: Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is against the proposed RM130 billion Langkawi bridge project as it will erode the island's unique features.

"Langkawi must remain as an island and unsuitable to be turned into a land mass," he told reporters after presenting chocolates and cash to 120 orphans and special children at Masjid Istiqamah in Kuala Teriang here on Sunday night, Aug 22.

Two companies based in Perlis had proposed building a 48km bridge linking Langkawi to Kuala Perlis on the mainland.

Juruelit Sdn Bhd executive chairman Kamarudin Husin said on Friday the company had enough funds to build the project which includes a monorail bridge.

On another note, Dr Mahathir said he was disappointed that Muslims had become enemies just because they had different views.

He added as fellow Muslims they should not turn bitter enemies as it would divide and weaken them.

The former premier cautioned that this could result in Muslims losing power in their own land.

Dr Mahathir and wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali later joined 500 Muslims for buka puasa, maghrib, isyak dan tarawih prayers. - Bernama

[rizalhakim]

Residents against Langkawi bridge
By Bernama
Tuesday, 24 August 2010 14:01

LANGKAWI: Various quarters, including residents in Langkawi, are against the proposed bridge between the island and Kuala Perlis.

They agree with former prime minister Tun Mahathir Mohamed that the project can erode the island's unique features as a tourist destination.

Langkawi Member of Parliament Datuk Paduka Abu Bakar Taib said the project could result in traffic congestion as it would allow more vehicles from the
mainland to enter the island.

"The situation in Langkawi as an island should be retained," he said after presenting contributions for "moreh" (feast after terawih) from Amanah Saham Anak Langkawi (ASAL) to several mosques and surau here.

Two companies based in Perlis had proposed building a 48km bridge linking Langkawi to Kuala Perlis on the mainland.

Juruelit Sdn Bhd executive chairman Kamarudin Husin said on Friday that the company had enough funds to build the project which included a monorail bridge.

Kampung Kuala Melaka Federal Village Security and Development Committee (JKKKP) chairman Fadzil Din said the project could adversely affect tourism industry in Langkawi.

Tourists would not want to spend overnight in Langkawi as they would be able to return to the mainland, he added. -- Bernama

[nazrey]

Helicopter Service In Langkawi To Be Expanded To Other Destinations
August 28, 2010 14:58 PM

LANGKAWI, Aug 28 (Bernama) -- The helicopter ride, the latest tourism product in Langkawi, will be expanded to other destinations, including overseas.

Director of CIG Global Helicopter Tour & Services Sdn Bhd, the company which operates the service, Amirullah Abdullah, said the service would be expanded to Satun and Ko Lips in Thailand soon.

We are in the final stage of discussions with the authorities there, he told reporters at a breaking-of-fast here Friday.

Besides the two destinations, Amirullah said, the service would also be available in Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Penang.

He said that since the service was introduced last year, almost 2,000 tourists had taken the helicopter ride for an aerial view of the Langkawi island.

-- BERNAMA

[rizalhakim]

Baron Group to invest RM20m in Langkawi
Published: 2010/06/28






The Baron Group, with five budget hotels in this tourist haven, is to invest RM20 million to build 300 rooms to meet growing demand for hotel rooms.

Managing Director Zailina Mohd Zain said 200 rooms will be built in Kuah and 100 in Pantai Cenang. The group has a chain of three-star hotels and chalets in Kuah and Pantai Cenang, with a combined room capacity of 400.

The group's latest resort, de Baron Resort, near Pekan Rabu Complex in Kuah, which commenced operations in December last year, has 137 rooms.

Zailina told Bernama Langkawi often faced room shortage during festive seasons, school holidays and when international events are staged, hence the decision to build more rooms.




Currently, Langkawi has a cumulative 8,000 rooms from hotels, resorts, chalets and lodging houses, an additional 800 rooms from last year.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Kedah Chapter chairman Pishol Ishak said some 2.4 million local and foreign tourists are expected to visit Langkawi this year.

A total of 2.37 million tourists came to Langkawi last year.

[nazrey]

Langkawi Needs More Direct Flights To Draw Tourists - Dr Mahathir
September 17, 2010 16:43 PM

LANGKAWI, Sept 17 (Bernama) -- Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad hopes that there will be more direct flights in and out of Langkawi to draw more tourists to this mythical resort island.

He said he had discussed with low-cost carrier AirAsia to have more direct flights into Langkawi from various destinations and hoped that Malaysia Airlines (MAS) would do the same.

"With more direct flights, tourists will be more keen to visit this duty-free island as they don't have to transit or catch a connecting flight," he told Bernama at his Aidilfitri open house, here, Friday.

Among the 4,000 people who attended the open house were Langkawi member of parliament Datuk Paduka Abu Bakar Taib, Kuah assemblyman Datuk Nawawi Ahmad and several other local Barisan Nasional leaders and local community leaders.

Also on hand to welcome the guests was Dr Mahathir's wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.

At the moment, MAS, AirAsia, Firefly and Singapore's Silk Air operate direct flights to Langkawi from Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Singapore.

Dr Mahathir also said that there was still more room to promote the island as an interesting tourist destination.

"We ask for the goverment's cooperation to promote Langkawi to the world," he said, adding that there were a number of projects still waiting for government approval before they could be implemented on the island.

Dr Mahathir has been the prime mover for Langkawi's development with several tourism products created such as the cable car, Galeria Perdana, Kota Mahsuri, Underwater World, Bird Park and Craft Complex.

-- BERNAMA

[nazrey]

Port Of Tanjung Lembung Handles More Than 100,000 Tonnes Of Cargo
September 20, 2010 15:29 PM

LANGKAWI, Sept 20 (Bernama) -- The Port of Tanjung Lembung, the main port in Langkawi, handled 151,967 tonnes of cargo in the first seven months of this year.

However, it was 0.2 per cent lower than the 152,272 tonnes handled in the same period last year.

Langkawi Port Sdn Bhd General Manager Muhd Nasir Abdul Aziz said the negligble drop was due to subdued interest among entreprenuers on this resort island.

"But, we are confident interest will pick up soon," he told Bernama here today.

Muhd Nasir said among the cargo handled by the port included vegetables, marine and poultry products, essential goods, construction materials and vehicles brought in from the mainland.

The number of ships which called at the port rose 4.5 per cent to 1,323 against 1,284 ships registered in the same period last year.

Besides Malaysian ships, the port received vessels from Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.

-- BERNAMA

[sc4]

HUH? There's a port in Langkawi????

[nazrey]

Tanjung Lembung Port, Langkawi Island
http://www.langkawiport.com.my/

[nazrey]

Langkawi hotels using pirated CDs
Thursday October 7, 2010
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...825&sec=nation

LANGKAWI: Raids by the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry found that most entertainment outlets in hotels and restaurants here are using pirated CDs.

Recording Industry Association of Malaysia (RIM) operations director Abdul Rahman Ghazali expressed the hope that these outlets would use original CDs and seek RIM’s approval to spin songs to avoid prosecution.

“RIM will continue to monitor entertainment outlets in this resort island,” he told reporters after an operation against the use of pirated CDs here last night.

Meanwhile, the ministry’s enforcement chief in Langkawi Azmi Dan said the team raided an entertainment centre and seized 73 pirated CDs and audio equipment worth RM7,000.

He said the anti-piracy operation, the first of its kind in Langkawi, was made folowing a complaint from RIM.

“Errant entertainment outlet operators can be charged under the Copyright Act 1987,” he added. — Bernama

[dean87]

Lada pasang tujuh lagi CCTV jadikan Langkawi pulau selamat

LANGKAWI - Lembaga Pembangunan Langkawi (Lada) akan memasang tujuh lagi kamera litar tertutup (CCTV), menjadikan jumlahnya 19 unit, dalam usaha menjadikan Langkawi sebagai destinasi pelancongan yang selamat dan mengurangkan kadar jenayah.

Pengurus Besar Lada Azman Umar berkata, pemasangan CCTV itu membabitkan kos RM400,000 dan akan dipasang di lokasi tumpuan yang dikenal pasti pihak polis.

"Kita mahu pelancong yang berkunjung ke Langkawi merasa selamat selaras menjadikan Langkawi sebagai pulau pelancongan yang selamat," katanya pada sidang media selepas mengadakan mesyuarat dengan polis dan syarikat pembekal CCTV di Ibu Pejabat Polis Langkawi di sini, hari ini.

Katanya, pihak polis memaklumkan sejak pemasangan CCTV, kadar jenayah di pulau ini menurun sebanyak 11 peratus iaitu kepada 463 kes dalam tempoh sembilan bulan pertama tahun ini berbanding 520 kes dalam tempoh sama tahun lepas.

Azman berkata, Lada juga akan bekerjasama dengan Majlis Perbandaran Langkawi (MPL) yang menerima peruntukan daripada Kementerian Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan untuk pemasangan CCTV.

Katanya, CCTV khusus untuk mengenal pasti wajah turut dipasang di pintu masuk termasuk di Jeti Kuah, peralatan pertama seumpamanya dipasang di Malaysia.

Antara lokasi yang dipasang CCTV ialah Jalan Pantai Cenang, Pandak Mayah, Langkawi Fair, Langkawi Mall, Jalan Pantai Tengah, Pejabat Pos dan Horbour Park serta kawasan kawalan pemantauan keselamatan seperti di Bukit Malut, katanya.

[rizalhakim]

LANGKAWI SAGA SHOPPING MALL
http://langkawisaga.com

[rizalhakim]

Teow Soon Huat Mega Department Store
http://www.langkawi-shopping.com/