Relax - Langkawi's reputation on the line

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LANGKAWI - The authorities may like to think of it as "Langkawi Permata Kedah" (Langkawi the pearl of Kedah), but the goings-on at some of the major attractions on the island are putting off visitors.

Even the people involved in the tourism sector have voiced concern that the island's allure as a premier destination was going downhill as reflected in the many negative comments posted on tripadvisor.com. (Tripadvisor.com is a premier travel review website which many tourists refer to before deciding on their holiday destinations.)

Langkawi's reputation has been further dented following the recent brutal attack on an elderly German couple as they were taking a leisurely stroll along the main road of Pantai Tengah.

The couple was attacked at a dark spot along the main road and locals here claimed the street lights in the area had been out of order for several weeks.

"This is among the main tourism spots on the island and yet the authorities seem to be really laid back in maintaining even the most basic of public amenities like street lighting.

"The attack on the German couple may have been an isolated incident, but one can only imagine the kind of negative press the island is going to get when the news hits the travel community," a local restauranteur, who declined to be named, said.

Read also:
German couple mugged outside Langkawi hotel

Over at Pantai Cenang on the west coast of Langkawi, the once serene and picturesque spot has been turned into a "beachfront highway". Watersport operators and beachboys can be seen driving their four-wheel drive vehicles and motorcycles, zooming back and forth towing jetskis and other watersports equipment all day long.

"It is like this every day, the 4WD vehicles and motorcycles are driven recklessly with little regard to those enjoying a lazy day at the beach.

"We have complained to the local authorities about what is happening here many times but everybody seems to be oblivious to it all," said a motel operator at Pantai Cenang.

A Swiss visitor, who wished to be identified as Marcus, said he and his wife were baffled how such vehicles could be allowed to turn the beachfront into their private highway.

"I have travelled extensively, but this is the first time I am seeing such a thing happening right on the beach," he said.

Watersport operators and beachboys can be seen driving their 4WD vehicles and motorcycles, zooming back and forth towing jet skis and other watersports equipment all day.

Among comments posted on tripadvisor about the goings-on at Pantai Cenang, included one from an Australian tourist who said: "A friend of mine stayed there back in October and was not impressed.

"He mentioned the fact that the beach in front had many 4WD driving along it and that it was quite noisy."

Langkawi Tourism Association deputy chairman Pishol Ishak said it was obvious that the beachfront should be free of all the "nonsense".

However, he said, the authorities seem to be turning a blind eye to the blatant disregard to safety and encroachment of vehicles onto the beachfront.

"It is obvious they don't seem to care what is going on. This can only be a bad thing for us all," he said.

Langkawi's reputation on the line

By Sharanjit Singh, New Straits Times | Sun, Feb 5 2012

Tourism industry concerned by lack of action on beachfront abuse, safety and upkeep of island.

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