Ever since travel restrictions were lifted post-pandemic, it seems that many Malaysians are now opting to travel overseas for holidays, especially across the northern Peninsular Malaysia border to Thailand, rather than domestically.
In 2023, Malaysians topped the charts for the number of foreign travellers to the country, with a whopping 4,626,422 visitors and is on course to surpass the number this year, as 4,506,898 Malaysian tourists visited Thailand in the first 11 months of 2024 alone, with 500,000 Malaysians expected to visit Thailand in December 2023 alone.
Prime Minister announces immediate initiatives to boost Langkawi tourism industry
With that in mind, tourist destinations in Malaysia, such as Langkawi Island in Kedah, have seemingly lagged behind their Thai counterparts, and accordingly, the Government will take immediate steps to address this.
Taking to his official Facebook account, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today revealed that he had a meeting with the CEO of Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), which was also attended by the district officer and the Langkawi district police chief.
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Anwar then announced that immediate steps would be taken to stimulate growth and enhance the Langkawi tourism sector.
Moreover, the Prime Minister said that these initiatives will be taken while continuing to preserve the island’s biodiversity.
Besides that, Anwar also revealed that he would expedite various initiatives to benefit the Langkawi local community, including the establishment of a university branch.
So, what do you guys think of the Prime Minister’s announcements? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Also read: Over 30K Hatyai Accommodations Fully Booked Until New Year as 500K M’sians Flock to Thailand in Dec
