Players in the tourism industry here anticipate that Budget 2024 will provide a shot in the arm for the island's tourism industry. They claimed that since the COVID-19 restrictions, tourist numbers had declined, and they hoped that the Budget would provide funding to help the island attract more visitors.
According to Malaysian Association of Hotels Kedah/Perlis chapter chairman Eugene Dass, there is a serious need for improved ferry connectivity and more direct flights to Langkawi International Airport.

He claimed that member hotels' response to year-end reservations was uninspiring.
For both domestic and international tourists to visit and spend their vacations in Langkawi, he stated, "Langkawi needs better ferry connectivity and more reasonably priced direct flights."

According to him, the government ought to consider providing the tourism industry with additional subsidies or funding.
On the plus side, Dass claimed that eliminating tobacco goods' tax-free status had not hurt tourism, adding that he had never heard of anyone avoiding the island because tobacco products were no longer tax-free.

Manager of Langkawi Adventure and Extreme Park Mohamad Firdaus Ahmad Yusri bemoaned the poor state of the present tourist influx.
"It's not like before the pandemic, when the island enjoyed a large influx of tourists, especially on weekends and public holidays," he remarked.
Bookings for the park during the year-end vacations, according to Mohamad Firdaus, have been slow.
He claimed that before the pandemic, a month before the holiday began, the park was completely booked.
However, the booking rate has only risen to 40% as of late.

"Perhaps the Federal Government can consider giving some kind of stimulus to improve the transportation modes to Langkawi in the budget," he continued.
Ahmad Phisol Isahak, a businessman in the tourism industry, wanted to bring the island's tourism back to its heyday.
He remarked, "The Federal Government must assist us in reviving Langkawi and making it active once more.
As the main method for domestic tourists to enter and exit the island, Ahmad Phisol advised that ferry connectivity be strengthened.
Better facilities, according to him, ought to be put in place for regional business owners.