Langkawi Launches Tourism Campaign to Improve Service, Pricing and Destination Image

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 2026 – Known as “Langkawi Care,” the campaign will focus on resolving several issues affecting visitors, including pricing disputes, inconsistent service standards, cleanliness and the activities of unlicensed tourism agents. The initiative is being developed by Kedah Tourism together with Tourism Malaysia and the Langkawi Development Authority.

Kedah Tourism general manager Mohd Zaidy Omar said the campaign would seek to eliminate unfair price mark-ups and unauthorised operators while improving the overall visitor experience.

He also rejected the perception that holidays in Langkawi are necessarily expensive, noting that visitors can select tourism products and packages according to their respective budgets. The island offers options ranging from affordable activities to premium experiences, including sunset cruises priced between RM200 and RM1,000.

The announcement was made during a business-to-business tourism networking programme in George Town, Penang. The event brought together travel agencies, hotel operators and tourism stakeholders to promote their latest packages and establish new commercial partnerships.

Mohd Zaidy said tourist arrivals in Langkawi increased in 2025, with further growth expected throughout 2026. The island is projected to receive more than three million visitors this year as tourism activities continue to recover and expand.

The programme also encouraged travel agents to promote mainland Kedah destinations alongside Langkawi, which remains the state’s main tourism attraction. The strategy is intended to diversify visitor experiences and distribute tourism benefits across more areas of the state.

Among the mainland destinations highlighted were Gunung Jerai, the Paddy Museum in Alor Setar, Pulau Songsong in Yan, Rock Village in Sik and Gua Sireh in Baling. These attractions are being positioned as complementary destinations that can be included in wider Kedah travel itineraries.

The networking event involved approximately 40 representatives from 30 Kedah-based travel companies, who engaged with nearly 100 tourism buyers from Penang and Perak. The programme was supported by Tourism Malaysia as part of preparations for Visit Malaysia 2026.

Kedah recorded more than 7.1 million domestic tourists and approximately 2.2 million international arrivals in 2025, exceeding its initial target of seven million visitors. The state is aiming to maintain arrivals above seven million in 2026.

Tourism authorities are also planning familiarisation trips for inbound travel agents based in Penang. These visits will help agencies develop combined packages covering Penang, Langkawi and mainland Kedah, while encouraging international visitors arriving in Penang to extend their journeys into the neighbouring state.