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New Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Lima '25 aims to attract 350,000 visitors to Langkawi
LANGKAWI: The Kedah government is targeting 350,000 visitors for the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (Lima '25), which will take place over five days, beginning on May 20. State Tourism, Culture, Arts and Entrepreneurship Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Salleh Saidin said the target encompassed both trade and public visitors from within Malaysia and abroad. "Langkawi is fortunate to be hosting two prestigious events simultaneously — Lima '25 from May 20 to 24, and the inaugural Langkawi International Boat Show (MyBOS) from May 21 to 25. "During this period, we anticipate between 300,000 and 350,000 visitors to arrive on the island," he said at a press conference following the Lima '25 Coordination Meeting with various government and private sector agencies, held at the Langkawi District and Land Office today. Salleh said that the meeting also finalised plans for 18 fringe events across three designated locations — Kuah town, Padang Matsirat, and Pantai Chenang — aimed at creating a festive atmosphere throughout the exhibition period. "We are fully prepared to be an excellent host for the 17th edition of Lima. At the same time, MyBOS represents a significant milestone for Malaysia's maritime industry. "Combined, both events are expected to attract around 400,000 tourists to the island in May, giving a major boost to visitor numbers in support of the Visit Kedah Year 2025 campaign," he said. Lima '25 is co-organised by the Defence Ministry and Global Exhibitions and Conferences Sdn Bhd (GEC), with the aerospace segment to be held at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) and the maritime segment at Resorts World Langkawi.
New Straits Times
22-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Not feasible for Kedah govt to operate ferry, flight services to Langkawi
ALOR STAR: Proposals for the Kedah state government to manage ferry and flight services from the capital to Langkawi have been deemed impractical and commercially unviable. State Tourism, Culture, Arts and Entrepreneurship Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Salleh Saidin stressed the importance of learning from the Langkawi Development Authority's (Lada) past failure to sustain its ferry service to the island. "There was a time when Lada operated a ferry service in the hope of enhancing the tourism sector and improving local connectivity. However, the initiative failed to achieve its intended objectives, as the ferries purchased were unable to operate optimally or consistently," he told the state assembly today. Salleh added that a series of technical issues, along with weaknesses in maintenance and operational management, ultimately rendered the ferries unfit for regular use. "As a result, the investment failed to deliver satisfactory returns for the agency and caused financial and reputational damage to Lada and its subsidiary," he said in response to a suggestion from Amar Pared Mahamud (PN–Kuah). Salleh also said that operating flights from Alor Star to Langkawi was not commercially viable. "It is worth noting that the relatively short distance — some 100km — makes the route less viable for flight services when compared with existing land and sea transport alternatives," he said, in response to a suggestion by Loh Wei Chai (PH–Bakar Arang). However, Salleh expressed openness to further engagement with the Transport Ministry, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, and airline operators to conduct a feasibility study on the route. "This could include exploring the potential for seasonal or chartered flights, particularly in conjunction with the Visit Kedah Year 2025 campaign for promotional purposes," he said.
