Pivoting towards eco – tourism in Langkawi

There is a need to pivot towards eco – tourism in a big way at Langkawi in view of the demand from tourists and the island resort’s stature as a Unesco global geo – park status.

Hence, this is where the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) shares the same aspiration with the civil society here.

Since Langkawi has been bestowed with the international status as a Unesco global geo – park, LADA through its tourism division manager Dr Azmil Munif Mohd Bukhari have underscored the importance of sustainability in tourism.

And geo – park is not just about rock formations or its geology but the undertaking to be sustainable while empowering the community to be part of the process, said Azmil.

Azmil partners closely with the Friends of Langkawi Geo – Park (FLAG) group, the Malaysian Nature Society and prominent green activist Dr Anthony Wong Kim Fei to spread the messaging of sustainability through green and geo -parks.

Wong disclosed that a survey showed that an increasing number of foreign tourists have cited sustainable practises as persuasive reasons to visit a particular destination.

Wong said that eco – tourism is no longer a supplement element of tourism but now the mainstream or the mainstay in driving forward tourism.

This is even recognised by the tourism authorities as next year’s big launch of the “Visit Malaysia 26” campaign, has nature and rural Malaysia as a centerpieces besides the visits to the staple locations in the Klang Valley, Penang, Malacca and Langkawi.

As for the latter, Wong wants to see a considerable shifting towards everything in eco – tourism.

FLAG chairperson Datuk Kamarulzaman Abdul Ghani hopes that Langkawi can fully attain the true potential of a geo – park status, which is one with sustainability.

He envisions that Langkawi can one day emulate some other islands in the region, who have been acclaimed with the status of a zero – waste island.

A zero – waste island is seen as a prime example for a circular economy to be in placed for sustainable practises such as recycling, alternative energy sources, renewables and an outright ban on plastic – a main scourge of pollutants.

This year marks also the inaugural Green and Geo – Parks Excellence Awards (GAGA), as an attempt to promote the sustainability practises throughout the nation.

It is the world’s first such award, supported by LADA and SW Corp, endorsed by the Penang Green Council and Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI).

Co – organised by LADA, the event will see the Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming handing out awards to those who subscribe to the green and geopark standards.

To be held on November 22, the organisers hope that there would be a considerable turnout among the local residents to firstly understand what sustainability is about.

It is also to encourage both the private and public sectors to participate meaningfully in conservation and preservation.

GAGA will also host a conference on zero waste in conjunction with the awards evening, where regional experts on the subject matter, would deliver working papers on how islands can become zero waste sites.