By Anthony Tan | VIRGIN Communications
email:anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk
Langkawi
Development Authority (Lada) organised the fourth the Langkawi Tourism Awards
(LITA) on 6 December 2014 to give recognition to tourism industry players and
entrepreneurs that have successfully putting themselves and Langkawi in the
forefront.
The
tourism industry is very competitive and the players have to themselves ahead
in the competition or to be squeezed out locally and internationally.
LADA
had launch a 5-year plan Langkawi Tourism Blueprint to promote Langkawi as one
of the world's best tourism destinations in 2011 and the final year is 2015 which
is just round the corner.
A
total of 17 categories were contested at the event held at the under-utilised Mahsuri
International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) next to the Langkawi International
Airport which only hyped with activities due
the
LIMA.
The
winners of the 17categories are:
1. Best 5-Star – Four Seasons Resort
Langkawi
2. Best 4-Star – Casa Del Mar Langkawi
3. Best 3-Star – The Frangipani Resort
& Spa
4. Best Restaurant – Fish Farm
5. Best F & B Outlets – The Gulai House,
The Datai
6. Best Practices Geo-park – The
Frangipani Resort & Spa
7. Best Geo-park Experience – Four Seasons
Resort Langkawi
8. Best Geo-park Community – KPSP Kilim
9. Best Boat Operator – Naam Cruise Sdn.
Bhd.
10. Best Tourist Guide – Mr Irshad Mobarak
11. Best Tour Operator – Gerteknik Travel
& Tour Sdn Bhd.
12. Best Taxi Driver – Mr Feisazudin Bin Abdul Hadi
13. Best Iconic Event – Royal Langkawi
International Regatta 2013
14. Based Best Hotel Spa – V Integrated
Wellness & Botanical Spa, The Andaman
15. Best Tourism Attraction – Langkawi Skycab
16. Best Duty Free Business – Skymall Duty
Free Langkawi International Airport
17. Best Homestay – Madam Aisyah Binti
Ismail/Keda Housing Langkawi
18. Outstanding Community Leader – Mr Maton
Bin Hj Mahmud
The
awards were presented to the winners by Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri
Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah and Kedah Religious, Indian and Siamese Community
Affairs, Human Resource and Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Rawi Abd
Hamid. Also present at the function was Lada chief executive officer Tan Sri
Khalid Ramli.
Ahmad
Husni, pointed out in his speech, “The awards are motivate tourism operators
and entrepreneurs in Langkawi to keep improving. The Langkawi Tourism Awards is
the best platform for tourism operators to remain competitive and ensure the
products they offer are at the highest level.”
Two
tourism industry players had the honour to be double-award winners where Four
Seasons Resort Langkawi won the Best 5 Star and Best Geopark Experience
categories while The Frangipani emerged as winner for the Best 3 Star and Best
Geopark Practices categories.
There
9,040 of hotel rooms available in Langkawi as of December 2014 which was
release by LADA, ranging from unrated rooms to 5-Star rooms.
LADA is
targeting to achieve 3 million tourists arrival to the island with RM3.8billion
receipt.
