Latest news with #VisitKedahYear2025
New Straits Times
10-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Hotels, car rentals in Langkawi fully booked ahead of Lima'25
LANGKAWI: Hotels and registered car rental services on the island are fully booked ahead of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (Lima '25), which will be held from 20 to 25 May. Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Kedah/Perlis chapter chairman Eugene Dass confirmed that all 7,800 rooms operated by its member hotels in Langkawi have been taken up for the Lima '25 week. "I understand that our member hotels, both in Kuah and along the beachfront, are fully booked for the Lima '25 period. "In total, we offer 7,800 rooms across our member properties in Langkawi," he told the New Straits Times. Langkawi Homestay Association chairman Mokhtar Shabudin Ismail said that over 90 per cent of accommodation offered by its 60 members has also been booked. "We are receiving many enquiries from visitors, and we expect the remaining 10 per cent will be taken up very soon," he said when contacted. Langkawi Car Rental Association chairman Rosli Ahmad said rental cars operated by members of the association are also fully booked ahead of the biennial exhibition. "In total, around 600 vehicles operated by our 80 car rental providers have already been reserved. "As usual, demand for car rentals surges during the Lima exhibition. "Participants are expected to start arriving from 17 May, followed by general visitors," he said. Lee Han Eng, president of the Langkawi Chinese Chamber of Commerce, reckoned Lima as a much-anticipated event for the island's tourism and business sectors. "We expect businesses in Pantai Chenang and around Langkawi International Airport to thrive, with some spillover effects in Kuah town. Overall, it's a positive boost for Langkawi's tourism and economy," he said. Langkawi Business Association adviser Datuk Alexander Isaac said Lima brings exposure and high-value income to Langkawi, with numerous spin-off benefits during and after the event. "Many visitors are likely to extend their stay to explore the island, which is great for local businesses during Visit Kedah Year 2025." Alexander also welcomed the move by Langkawi ferry operators to increase services during the event. On Tuesday, Ferry Line Ventures Sdn Bhd, which manages passenger ferry services to the island, announced that over 40,000 tickets had been sold ahead of Lima '25. The company has scheduled an additional 100 trips between 20 and 25 May, covering the event period and the day after. Approximately 10,000 return tickets remain available. Lima '25, themed "Today's Progress, Future Achievements", is expected to surpass previous editions in terms of asset value. To date, 10,000 public tickets have been sold, with confirmed exhibitors from China, France, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Italy. The previous edition, Lima '23, featured more than 600 companies from 30 countries — the largest since the event's inception in 1991.
New Straits Times
26-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
23 yacht operators to take part in international boat show in Langkawi
LANGKAWI: A total of 23 luxury yacht and boat operators will take part in the Malaysia International Boat Show 2025 (Mybos'25), which will be held here from May 21 to 25. The inaugural international event will take place at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club. Kedah's Tourism, Culture, and Entrepreneurship Committee chairman, Datuk Mohd Salleh Saidin, said Mybos'25 would add vibrancy to the ongoing Visit Kedah Year 2025. "Mybos'25 will certainly complement the prestigious biennial Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (Lima'25), as both events will run concurrently. "This makes May a peak period for tourist arrivals in Langkawi," he said at a press conference after attending a Hari Raya Aidilfitri ceremony at the Langkawi District and Land Office compound last night. For the record, Lima'25 will be held from May 20 to 24. Salleh said Mybos'25 would feature a wide range of international marine products, including the latest maritime technologies and luxury yachts. "This is not just a boat exhibition, it also serves as a business networking platform for industry players, investors and boat enthusiasts from around the world," he said. The debut event is jointly organised by Mybos Event Sdn Bhd and Sail Malaysia, with support from the Langkawi Development Authority, the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, and the Transport Ministry.
New Straits Times
23-04-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Kedah Umno dismayed over sorry state of Tanjung Dawai beach
KUALA MUDA: Kedah Umno has voiced disappointment over the deteriorating condition of Tanjung Dawai beach, describing it as an eyesore that undermines efforts to promote the state as a tourism destination. Its information chief Datuk Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin said the beach was now strewn with marine debris, casting doubt over the effectiveness of the Visit Kedah Year 2025 campaign. "What is the point of launching a tourism campaign if iconic destinations like Tanjung Dawai are left in such a polluted state?" he said in a statement today. He said Tanjung Dawai beach was not only known for its tourism appeal, but also served as a lifeline for local communities, including fishermen, small traders and homestay operators, who were now affected by the worsening waste problem. Shaiful took aim at Merbok member of parliament Mohd Nazri Abu Hassan and Tanjung Dawai assemblyman Hanif Ghazali, claiming that they appeared indifferent to the state's tourism agenda. "Where are they when it comes to defending the dignity of their own constituency? Have they made any effort to push for urgent action from the local authorities and the state government?" he said. Commenting further, Shaiful urged the state government and relevant agencies not to rely solely on catchy tourism slogans while failing to address basic issues such as environmental cleanliness and lack of tourist infrastructure. "The people demand answers and immediate action," he said. The New Straits Times had contacted both Nazri and Hanif but yet to receive a response. Once known for its white sands, Tanjung Dawai beach now saw fewer visitors. Despite twice-weekly clean-ups by the Sungai Petani Municipal Council since July last year, rubbish and debris continue to wash ashore and pollute the beach. Non-governmental organisations, government bodies and student volunteers had pitched in to clean up the area, but their efforts were short-lived. Some locals had suggested installing garbage traps or a sea wall, but these might pose financial and other environmental challenges.
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.
