LANGKAWI: The government should focus on addressing Langkawi's water supply issue and improving its infrastructure.
Malaysian Association of Hotels' Kedah/Perlis chapter chairman Eugene Dass said these were the most pressing issues as compared to any form of rebranding or to further promote it as a Muslim-friendly destination.
"Many tourist spots in Langkawi need better management and maintenance. These issues are more pressing than rebranding the island's image.
"The government should prioritise ensuring a consistent water supply. Water shortages severely impact the service delivery and facilities offered by hotels, leading guests to reconsider returning for future holidays," he told the New Straits Times.
He argued that promoting Langkawi exclusively as a Muslim destination could be counterproductive.
"Langkawi has long enjoyed support from Arabs and other Middle-Eastern visitors, but we must not alienate other international tourists. The island currently attracts a diverse mix of European, Chinese, Australian, and American visitors," said Dass.
He assured that Langkawi's hotels have always been well-equipped to cater to Muslim tourists, with halal certification, halal restaurants, and appropriate amenities already in place.
On concerns about a possible clampdown on tourists with skimpy outfits and alcohol consumption, Dass urged caution, stressing there is no need to panic without knowing the details of the proposal.
Meanwhile, Kedah Tourist Guide Association president Mohd Firdaus Abu Bakar said that while Malaysians are generally welcoming to tourists, they lag behind Thailand in this regard.
He said while the government's plan to position Langkawi as the preferred Muslim island destination has its merits, other factors must be considered.
"The concept is promising, but various aspects need thorough consideration. Currently, it makes little impact as Langkawi hosts tourists from diverse countries depending on the season or month.
"Our focus should be on educating locals to uphold cleanliness, avoid unjustified price hikes for tourists, always wear a welcoming smile in line with our customs, and consistently express gratitude.
"This applies nationwide, it's not that our people are unwelcoming, but in comparison to Thailand, their friendliness towards tourists surpasses ours, which significantly attracts them," he said.
Firdaus stressed that promoting the island should not exclusively target Muslim countries, but should adopt a balanced approach to attract all potential visitors.
"Whether Muslim or non-Muslim, it's the same for Langkawi. The only difference is that we could promote it more to Islamic countries to attract them here.
"However, we shouldn't forget non-Muslim tourists. We also need a more robust promotion of Langkawi to Europeans," he added.
On Monday, Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Khairul Firdaus Akhbar Khan's said that the ministry is proposing to position Langkawi as a Muslim-friendly destination.
Khairul Firdaus told the Dewan Rakyat that the ministry was considering this move as studies have shown that Langkawi is facing stiff competition from other tourism islands in neighbouring countries.
In response, Kedah Tourism, Culture, and Entrepreneur Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Salleh Saidin lauded the move as it aligns well with the plan to diversify promotions for the Visit Kedah Year 2025 campaign.