By:
Mohd Hafizi b Haron,
Nor Aisyah bt Mohd Nasir. Nurul Najihah bt Mohd Noh, Sherine Amira Ak
Beatle and Siti Nur Izaty bt Mohd Pardzi
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The tourism sector is one of the most important sectors to generate economic growth of the country. This sector is able to drive growth various other sectors of the economy such as construction, transportation, hospitality, manufacturing, food, retail and other services. It has development sustainable tourism industry can contribute to the increase better physical and social environment. The tourism sector also important because it has either one strategy to strengthen the economy of the rural community and balancing urban growth with the region.
There are various tourism products offered
in the State of Kuah Langkawi to local and international travellers. Such as,
culture and heritage, theme parks, food and shopping travel products and so on.
However, there are some of existing tourism products and activities fully developed.
Therefore,
tourism products and tourism activities involving resources
nature needs to emphasize and preserve the importance of nature in line with
sustainable development policy. This study of tourism sector is for identify
issues and challenges in the tourism sector Kuah Town Langkawi further develop
strategic planning of the policies of this sector until 2030.
1.1 AIM
1.2 OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
2.0 EXISTING ANALYSIS OF TOURISM IN KUAH TOWN
2.1 TOURISM PRODUCT ANALYSIS
2.1.1
Langkawi as one of Malaysia's leading tourist destinations has always been an option for tourists from inside and outside the country. Every year, tourist arrivals to Langkawi are constantly increasing. Most visitors are fascinated by the beauty and natural beauty of the flora and fauna and the friendly hospitality of the locals. Tourism development in Langkawi focuses more on sustainable development based on eco-tourism and geo-tourism concepts which include aspects of inclusive development, private sector participation, use of green technology and sustainable development, industrial and economic development as well as strengthening local cultural heritage.
The tourism sector continues to be a key driver of economic development in Langkawi by providing income and employment opportunities to the Langkawi community. There are 5 types of active tourism in Langkawi Kuah that have been developed to attract tourists and visitors to Kuah Langkawi. Generally, tourism products in Kuah are classified into 5 types of shopping tourism, man-made tourism, history & heritage, food tourism, marine tourism. The highest number of tourism products are from the shopping and man-made tourism categories.
Kuah is a well-dispersed and densely populated area with a mix of commercial and administrative areas. The spatial structure is of two to three layers, namely the use of urban spaces created by commercial areas, institutions and community facilities and settlements. As a result, the Kuah district is pioneering eco-tourism tourism- based products.
While area man-made tourism along the waterfront forms the focal point of tourism as well as the main focus of the stay with beautiful scenery. Natural tourism is an activity that involves visits to places with historical and tourist attractions. This tourism product consists of Eagle Square, Legend Park, CHOGM Park and Langkawi Water Kingdom. There are 4 tourist centers in Kuah that can be categorized as man-made tourism products in Kuah. The list of tourism products in Kuah Langkawi is as shown in Figure 1.1.
MANA TITLES FOR THE FIGURES?
The pie chart shows the most numbers of the tourism product is shopping tourism about 46 % from overall tourism product. Followed by man-made tourism about 27%. Food tourism, history & heritage and marine tourism each recorded about 9 %. This is because Kuah town has many types of shopping mall that offer price at the tax free than other area. Kuah City also is known for its active business activities. The commercial position of as a link from entrance jetty kuah are potentially a tourist attraction.
2.1.2 LOCATION DISTRIBUTION OF TOURIST AREAS
3.0 TOURIST ANALYSIS
3.1 NUMBER OF TOURIST
ARRIVALS
Graph 3.1. Tourist Arrival
Source: LADA
Number of tourist arrival in Kuah Town Langkawi, data starting 2017 until 2019. International and domestic tourist arrivals to Langkawi have increased year-on-year from 3.62 million tourists in 2017 to 3.6 million in 2019. This graph shows the statistic tourist arrival in Langkawi increase on 2019 because Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA).
3.2 TOURIST ARRIVAL BY TRANSPORTATION
Table 3.2. Tourist Arrival By Transportation
In 2017 tourist arrival to Langkawi Island by jetty, domestic people are (1,920,408) and international people (125,582), by cruise are (157,304), by yatch at Kuah & Telaga Habor (5,021), while by airport domestic people (1,206,339) and international people (139,435). Overall total tourist arrival is (3,554,089). Source form LADA.
In 2019 tourist arrival to Langkawi Island by jetty, domestic people is (1,979,081) and international people (131,494), by cruise are (219,907), by yatch at Kuah & Telaga Habor (4,428), while by airport domestic people (1,271,101) and international people (188,434). Overall total tourist arrival is (3,794,445). Source from LADA.
The data shows tourist arrival by transportation recorded 56% (6,135,518 million people) use the ferry service at Jetty Kuah. This is followed by 38% (3,626,908 million people) by airplane. While 5% (560,400 people) and 0.3% (14,244 people) use cruise and yacht services.
4.0 TOURIST SUPPORT FACILITIES
4.1 TRANSPORTATION IN KUAH TOWN
Air Transport
Langkawi International Airport is 20 kilometers from Kuah City. Flights include several destinations in Malaysia such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru and Ipoh. There are also international flights to Changi, Singapore and Kansai, Japan. The airport is the destination of several airlines such as the Malaysian Airlines System (MAS), Silk Air and Air Asia.
Water Transportation
Water transport is one of the major transport destinations for the Langkawi District. There are 4 jetty / terminals here at Kuah Jetty, Tanjung Lembong Port, Telaga Harbor Pier and Star Cruise Jetty
The Kuah Jetty is a jetty that takes passengers by ferry from the mainland from Kuala Perlis, Kuala Kedah and Penang. There is also a ferry service from Satun, Thailand. The Telaga Harbor jetty is a jetty that welcomes visitors from Kok Lipe, Thailand. The Tanjung Limbong pier works to bring vehicles from the peninsula mainland.
Public Transportation.
There is only a public transport of taxis that involves cars and vans where the fare is meter dependent.
Cars Rental
Car rental service is very popular in Langkawi. There are full time entrepreneurs, and some are renting part-time cars, especially during the school holidays or on the weekends. rental rates vary by car type.
Motorcycle Rental
The easiest and cheapest way to get around Langkawi is to ride a motorcycle. There are various types of motorcycles rented on the island, ranging from high-powered motorcycles to powerful 110cc and Honda 70cc. motorcycle rental rates are around RM25 a day.
Graph Pie 4.1. Public Transportation
Analysis and Finding
Based on data from questionnaire is the highest utilization of rental vehicle is car (62%). This is due to the fact that the majority of the locals are well-versed with the surroundings and at the same time facilitate the movement to move somewhere and reduce the budget. This followed by taxi / grab are (36%). The lowest percentage of used public vehicles was motorcycle rentals (2%). This is because many tourists prefer to take a taxi or grab it because they are not familiar with the surroundings. By using a motorcycle for rent, the safety of the rider is less secure and more vulnerable to accident.
4.2 TOURISM INFORMATION CENTRE IN KUAH TOWN
There are two Langkawi Tourism Information Centre’s are located in a strategic location and are the main focus of the Jetty Point Complex and facing with Pekan Rabu. The first one is located Tourist Information Centre, Jalan Persiaran Putra, and the second one located at Tourism Information Centre, Lot SB-2S, Satellite Building, Jetty Point Complex, Gravy Jetty.
4.3 ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES IN KUAH TOWN
Accommodation is a base of tourism industry as it is a vital and fundamental part of tourism supply. Tourists in their travel require location where they can rest and revive during their travel. As a result, commercial accommodations are in existence.
Most of the accommodation focused
on the Kuah Town is comprised of 7 types namely Hotel, Resort, Hotel Apartment,
chalet, Homestay, House stay and hotel budget.
Rates for this hotel range from
5 stars to the hotel budget. Room rates for this accommodation category range
from RM158-RM5,000 for hotel, chalet, RM48-150 for hotel budget and RM50-RM70
for guest house.
The existence of this accommodation facility is also associated with what is known as a world class tourist and annual event.
4.3.1 LOCATION DISTRIBUTION ACCOMMODATION AREAS
List of Hotels by Star Rating In Kuah Town
4.4 TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION
There are five types of accommodation which is homestay, hotel, resort, apartment and other. Homestay represent 27.70%, hotel 51.60%, resort 17%, apartment 1% and other 2.70%.
Based on data from questionnaire the highest based on type of accommodation used is hotel which is 51.6%. This is because, majorities tourist comes to Kuah Town Langkawi were chosen hotel. while the lowest types of accommodation used is apartment only 1%. This is because, the apartment is far from tourist attractions and makes it difficult for them to move to interesting places in Kuah Town.
The town of Kuah does not dominate tourist accommodation as hotels because hotel activities are more dominated in Pantai Cenang. This is because, its location along the waterfront forms a tourist attraction.
5.0 RECREATION AREA
5.1 RECREATION AREA IN KUAH TOWN
Recreation consists of human activities or experiences that occur during leisure time. Recreation is widely regarded as activity including physical, mental, social and emotional involvement. There are two type of recreation area in Kuah Town such as active recreation and passive recreation.
Active recreation became attraction area is CHOGM Park, Legendary Park and Langkawi Water Kingdom. The most local tourist is preferred to do activities recreation at CHOGM Park and Legendary Park. Among the activities is jogging, cycling, picnic and other else.
Meanwhile passive recreation became attraction area is Eagle Square. Local tourist is more interested to go Eagle Square. This is because, Eagle Square is the main recreation in Kuah Town for tourist with family. The Eagle Square is landmark in Langkawi. It is very attractive for local tourist and foreign tourist.
Usually, normal
day local tourist prefers to visit the Eagle Square. While on holiday most
foreign tourists prefer to visit the Eagle Square because of the location near
to the sea and they can enjoy the beautiful sea view.
5.2 LOCATION DISTRIBUTION OF RECREATION AREAS
6.0 ISSUES
6.1 FERRY TERMINAL AND TRANSPORTATION
Tourist traffic and vehicles at Langkawi ferry terminals often occur
during the holiday’s festivals, school holidays, national and international
events. The situation. This is due to insufficient parking space that is
causing drivers to park their vehicles along the road. Also, most vehicles
rented to tourists does not have a permit issued by the Department of
Transportation Road. This exposes tourists to risks in the event of accidents.
Rental price the vehicles charged to tourists are uncertain and depend on
demand. Usually, higher prices are imposed during the holidays and burden
tourists’ low-income earners (Ministry of Housing and Local Government, 2003).
6.2
THE OVERFLOW ECONOMY IS NOT FULLY PROVIDED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS
The rapid growth of the tourism industry in Kuah Town has succeeded in improving
socio-economic status its inhabitants. However, the benefits of tourism
development are not enjoyed completely by the people. Residents are facing some
issues socioeconomic factors such as high poverty rates, high migration rates,
and education levels low, working in small-scale fisheries and agriculture
sectors, developmental issues demographics, infrastructure provision and poor
public amenities (Mustafa Omar, Isaac Yussof & Sulong Mohamad, 2006).
6.3 LACK OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM
Most of the tourist come to Langkawi by
using the rental car that are available at the Kuah Jetty. Rental fees depend
on the circumstances in which higher prices are imposed during the school
holidays or any international events. Therefore, the need for public transport
is crucial as it reduces road congestion.
6.4 Lack of Historic Prevention Area
Tourist tend to visit Kuah town and several legendary locations. Tourist are more interested in going to the island than the Legendary Park. This due to the care of the environment that are filled with dried leaves, twiggy trees, muddy water condition.
7.0 CONCLUSION
The tourist industries are seen as the agent of change in the physical and socio-economic population of Langkawi was once a remote isolated society. Since Langkawi is a duty-free island, shopping is the major attraction for tourism in Kuah Town. Shopping tourism about 46% from overall tourism product. Kuah town has many types of shopping mall offer price at the tax free than other area. In 2019, there are 3.6 million tourist arrival in Langkawi. The statistic shown that Langkawi international Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition attract the tourism. Tourist arrival supported by accommodation that are provided in Kuah about 51.6% tourist prefer a hotel for stay. Langkawi not only offers business-friendly tourism but also offers leisure activities for tourists. Eagle Square is a popular landmark in Langkawi and attracts tourists. To ensure that tourism continued to survive in Langkawi existing tourism product need to be refined primarily from the aspect quality of service provided to tourist.
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