LANGKAWI: The hosting of 13 international sports events has been identified as a major contributor to the arrival of 1.8 million tourists in Langkawi during the first nine months of this year.
Langkawi Development Authority chief executive officer Datuk Haslina Abdul Hamid said the strong participation in each event demonstrates the island's potential as a hub for sports tourism.
"At least 13 international-level sports events were held on the island by the end of September, including the Royal Langkawi International Regatta, the 20th Langkawi International Regatta Perdana, Langkawi Rugby Festival and Langkawi Satun Fishing Thru Andaman.
"Other events included the Rotax MAX Challenge Asia Trophy, Langkawi Ultra, Langkawi Swimming Festival, the 3rd Langkawi Youth Sailing Championship, M8 Malaysia Pushbike GP Series 2, Pulau Rebak Social Regatta, Ironman Malaysia and Ironman 70.3 Langkawi, and Langkawi 7-a-side Football Championship," she said after presenting awards to winners of the Langkawi International Half Marathon 2024 at the Langkawi International Convention Centre in Padang Matsirat today.
On today's event, Haslina said 4,300 participants from 28 countries took part in the third edition of the international marathon, which was first organised in 2022.
"What makes this unique is that participants run through the iconic 'Mahsuri Ring', an area shaped like a ring, believed to have formed due to a meteor impact in the past.
"The race began at 6.30am, and by the time runners reached the area, the scenery was breathtaking, offering unforgettable memories for international participants," she added.