Industry Players Quash Perception Of High Cost Of Tourism In Langkawi

LANGKAWI, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- Tourism industry players, here refute the perception that the cost of traveling to this resort island is expensive or not worth it compared to other tourist locations, especially in the south of a neighbouring country.

Tropical Charters Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Alexander Isaac said if tourists plan their trip well, they can get accommodation, food and other activities in Langkawi at cheap and reasonable prices.

"We cannot compare Langkawi with Hatyai, Thailand, if we want to compare, it should be with Bali, Indonesia and Phuket Thailand because going they are more expensive than Langkawi.

"Hatyai is indeed a popular location in the north of the country, but Langkawi has a lot to offer, especially as a tourist destination for families compared to Hatyai," he said when met here recently.

According to him, tourists visiting Langkawi have a choice whether they want to stay and eat in an expensive place or vice versa and it requires them to plan wisely.

Alexander added, tourists who intend to visit Langkawi are also advised to use the services of a licensed travel agent to avoid being deceived or face difficulties later on.

"In social media there are all kinds of people offering, but when they come it's not what is offered, so I ask tourists to use a licensed agent, it's safer because if anything happens tourists can make a complaint and the agent can be subject to action by the authorities, ” he said.

Meanwhile, Hotel Adya Langkawi general manager Syed Muhammad Firdaus Syed Putra said the perception that the cost of tourism to Langkawi is expensive is created by groups who do not understand the market on this resort island.

According to him, when compared to other tourist destinations such as Phuket and Krabi in Thailand, both also offer expensive and cheap accommodation prices like in Langkawi.

"If we travel abroad, there are places that are expensive and there are places that are cheap...so to say that Langkawi is expensive is actually wrong," he said, who also described Langkawi as having its own uniqueness, especially in nature.

He said, in addition to having interesting tourism products, the location of the focus area in Langkawi is also more suitable for family tourism because it is divided between entertainment areas and other attractions.

-- BERNAMA