Langkawi promotes green, sustainability for boost in tourism

With a Unesco accredited global geo-park status in hand, Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) wants to promote other green, sustainability tourism to draw in environmentally conscious tourists.

Its tourism manager Lt Kol Dr Azmil Munif Mohd Bukhari said that the geo-park status meant that Langkawi is home to sustainable initiatives.

“Tourists prefer destinations which are rich in sustainability, conservation and preservation and wants to see more efforts from the private sector to cultivate the growth of sustainable activities and best practises on the island.

“This would help position Langkawi as a hub for green and geo-park initiatives.”

Langkawi is the region’s first global geo-park, a status which it attained in 2007.

The status calls for Langkawi to explore and conserve its geological heritage, biodiversity, cultural heritage, sustainable initiative besides raising the threshold of education and public awareness about what geo-park stands for.

To improve its geo-park standing, LADA has decided to collaborate with veteran media practitioners to host the inaugural Green & Geo – Park Excellence Awards (GAGA).

It is slated to be held on November 22 at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre in Padang Matsirat.

The soft launch of GAGA was held yesterday at the Frangipani Resort.

The event will be showcasing the best geo-park practices and sustainable initiatives by all industry players.

In addition to that LADA is also hosting a green conference with participants from ASEAN environment groups.

One invitee that stands out for the conference is Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) that assisted Siquijor Island to implement zero waste policy.

Anthony Wong Kim Fei is the owner of Frangipani – the country’s first recognised green hospitality property.

He will be vetting the participants for the excellence awards.