LANGKAWI: The Kedah government has set a target of attracting 2.5 million visitors to Langkawi island by this year following the reopening of Malaysia's borders.
State Tourism, Arts and Culture Committee chairman Mohd Firdaus Ahmad said the figure was within target following the reopening of international borders.
"The 2.5 million target is higher than the earlier target of 2.2 million visitors arrival, comprising domestic visitors and international travellers," he said after greeting 75 inbound travellers from Changi Airport, Singapore, who arrived at the Langkawi International Airport by Scoot Air's Boeing 737-800 aircraft today.
The aircraft was greeted with a water salute after it touched down at 5.20pm. The passengers, meanwhile, were greeted by traditional musical performances upon disembarking.
Present were Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) chief executive officer Nassaruddin Abdul Muttalib and Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture's international promotions (Asia/Africa) head P. Manoharan.
Nassaruddin said the agency has planned several high-impact events to boost visitor arrivals to Langkawi.
"These include the Ironman Malaysia Langkawi, Le Tour de Langkawi, Langkawi International Beach Soccer and Asean International Course on UNESCO Geopark.
"Langkawi is also offering new attractions such as Splash Out, Perdana Quay Eco Marine Park and MAHA Tower.
"We also hope that the opening of two new hotels, Mercure Langkawi and Park Royal Langkawi, which targets high-end travellers, will further spur tourism revenue in Langkawi," he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Singaporean Yoga Naidu, 46, who was travelling with seven family members, said they were thrilled to visit Langkawi.
"It has been two years since we travelled for holidays due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We are very excited to spend our holidays here," he said.
A couple from Perth, Australia, Michael Fay, 72, said he was delighted to revisit Langkawi with his wife Mary, 68.
"We came here in 1978 for our honeymoon and it is great to be back again," he said.