A piece of Langkawi in South Korea

Warming up: Visitors to Nami island sampling teh tarik on a cold winter’s day during the Naturally Langkawi@Korea exhibition.

Visitors to the picturesque Nami Island in South Korea will be able to experience the sights and sounds of Malaysia through the Naturally Langkawi @ Korea exhibition.

The month-long showcase ending Dec 15 features tasting sessions of delicacies and beverages such as satay, nasi lemak and teh tarik as well as wayang kulit performances.

Visitors can also feast their eyes on scenes around Langkawi through a photo exhibition at the event site, crafted like a nature garden with structures highlighting Malay architecture.

There are also congkak workshops, traditional music performances, coffee painting demonstrations, and folklore storybook displays to give South Koreans a taste of the 99-island archipelago.

The event is part of the Nami-Langkawi partnership programme inked by the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) and Nami Island Incorporation last year, to cross promote tourism. At the exhibition’s opening ceremony in South Korea recently, LADA chief executive Tan Sri Khalid Ramli said the showcase was a great way for South Koreans to discover the ‘Jewel of Kedah’.

With more nature-based attractions coming up, on top of the much anticipated Butterfly Park and Eco Theme Park, he believed Langkawi had the potential to become a transit hub for tourists visiting Malaysia. “Eco-tourism will drive Langkawi to be among the world’s top 10 eco-destination islands by 2015, backed by its status as a Geopark Island endorsed by Unesco in 2007.

“It has numerous award-winning man-made attractions such as SkyCab, Underwater World and Wildlife Park. LADA is committed to prolonging the length of stay by enhancing facilities, services and amenities of major attractions,” he said in a press statement.

Khalid welcomed South Korean nationals to participate in the island’s many events, among them the famed Le Tour De Langkawi, Langkawi Water Festival, Langkawi Interna-tional Mountain Bike Challenge, World Cup Asia Paintball and Ironman Langkawi.

“Tourists will not only be enchanted by its natural beauty, but also the rich history, and arts and culture attractions.” Previous events in the Nami-Langkawi partnership included the Naminara Cultural Festival 2012 held in Langkawi’s Oriental Village this time last year, as well as a Langkawi Cultural Month in Nami Island in July and August 2012.

-thestar online.