Island resort gets much needed boost

The five-year tourism development plan for Langkawi will further boost the island resort as an international tourist destination.

Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) general manager Datuk Azman Umar said the allocation was based on a tourism blueprint prepared by the Economic Planning Unit under the Finance Ministry. He said the RM420mil allocation would also act as an incentive to woo more investors to the island. “This is a huge allocation which is spread over five years,” he said in Langkawi.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, when tabling Budget 2012, announced a RM420mil development allocation for Langkawi, which includes the restructuring of Lada.

Langkawi Umno chief Datuk Nawawi Ahmad said the RM420mil allocation came as a pleasant surprise. “We are grateful to the Prime Minister for helping to re-energise Langkawi,” he said, adding that the island was in a sorry state under Pakatan Rakyat’s rule.

Langkawi Tourism Association deputy chairman Phisol Ishak urged the Government to focus on eco-tourism as this would differentiate the island from other destinations. He also urged Lada to revive abandoned projects in Kuah, including shophouses.

-thestar online.