Tourism players and businesses in Kedah's tourism jewel lauded the government's decision to extend the Langkawi International Travel Bubble (LITB).

They also hailed the government's move to allow tourists to enter the island via domestic flights from Klia2, as it would attract more cost-cautious and group travellers to Langkawi.

"This is great news for tourism players in Langkawi such as travel agents, tour guides, hoteliers and product owners," Ardi Bahador, Langkawi Tourist Guide Association president. 

"We wish to thank the government especially the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, the Immigration Department, the Health Ministry and the Langkawi Development Authority for responding to our calls in easing the entrance for cost conscious clients," he added.

After a slow start of the LITB due to the global outbreak of the Covid-19 Omicron variant, Ardi said it was crucial to entice cost-cautious visitors and group travellers to the island.

"Prior to this, tourists will have to pick up their luggage at KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) and have to check-in again before boarding a domestic flight to Langkawi, due to code sharing between different airlines.

"By allowing them to enter via Klia2, there will be less hassle for tourists to travel to Langkawi.
"We expect this will boost the arrival of travellers, including big group (larger than 10 people) bookings which will in turn help increase flight volume to the island," he said.

This he said, would help Langkawi tour guides, who were mostly freelancers to improve their earnings, after being hit by the Covid-19 pandemic almost two years ago.

Ardi said the association also hailed the move to ease insurance policy purchase processes for tourists.

Langkawi Homestay Association chairman Mohtar Shabudin Ismail also commended the government's move to revise the SOPs.
"Most of our guests are budget and group travellers besides those staying for an extended period, thus we really appreciate the move to revise the SOPs," he said.

Mohtar said the move was also a great help for homestay operators following a slow start of the LITB due to the Omicron variant outbreak late last year.