ALOR STAR: The proposed upgrading of Sultan Abdul Halim Airport (LTSAH) into an international airport is expected to become a catalyst in attracting more visitors through international direct flights to the state.
Tourism industry players in the state felt that the direct flight could woo visitors from new market segment, especially neighbouring countries.
The Kedah/Perlis Hotelier Association chairman Eugene Dass said the government's initiative could help to boost the hotel industry especially in the city which seems to have slowed down.
He said the direct flights could involve Thailand, Singapore and Indonesian.
“It is vital for the government to provide the direct flight service through upgrading of the airport because tourists are reluctant to visit Alor Star as they need to land in Langkawi or Penang.
“They then have to use land transport to come to the city. Therefore the airport upgrading and the introduction of direct flights will bring in new tourists from the neighbouring countries,” he said when contacted.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced the plan to upgrade LTSAH in Kepala Batas into an international airport, which would be completed in five years.
The upgrading plan was included in the Kedah Strategic Development Plan 2019-2035 as part of Barisan Nasional government's commitment to bring more transformation to the state.
On the same note, Dass said he had received feedback from tourists in the neigbouring countries who were interested to visit mainland Kedah for its natural attractions including Gunung Jerai and the Bujang Valley.
However, due to lack of direct flights they were unable to come which was a loss to the state tourism industry.
Meanwhile, the Kedah Tourism Association chief executive officer Zainudin Kadir said it was high time the airport was upgraded as it would connect mainland Kedah to the world.
He said all this while mainland Kedah was hidden from foreign tourists despite having many interesting eco-tourism products.
“We have Sungai Sedim, Gunung Jerai, and Sungai Merbok which have potential to be promoted to tourists from China, Middle East and European countries,” he said.