Langkawi, a cluster of 99 islands off the coast of Kedah in Malaysia, has been awarded Asia’s Best Awards 2022 for being one of the best islands in Southeast Asia by Travel + Leisure.
The word-renowned travel magazine, based in New York, USA, has announced the winners, decided by readers, for its first ever Asia’s Best Awards 2022.
Langkawi was ranked number five in the Top 10 Islands in Southeast Asia list, among the likes of Phuket, Koh Samui and Bali.
Commenting on the award, Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) chief executive officer Nasaruddin Abdul Muttalib said the award is a testament of the agency’s continuous efforts and dedication, especially throughout the pandemic when tourist arrivals into the island were at its lowest.
“While faced with many challenges, we remained optimistic and took it upon ourselves to ensure that the island showed resilience in its journey towards recovery and remain top of mind,” he said.
Nasaruddin said as the pioneering agency in Langkawi’s tourism development, LADA has been playing a major role in establishing Langkawi into the renowned world-class tourism destination that it is today.
He said throughout the years, the agency has never wavered its commitment and it hoped to position the island as one of the top 10 tourist destinations in the world.
“With more travel restrictions being loosened, we anticipate the arrival of more international travellers that could potentially revitalise the economy and spur the income of the local community.
“Our strategy in making this a reality is focused on four principal components, namely Leisure (International & Domestic), Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) and Tourism Events,” Nasaruddin said.
“Our action plan incorporates a range of activities, from promoting green, experiential and responsible tourism, to incentives such as duty-free shopping as well as creating Instagram-worthy spots to ensure that we are able to retain our position as one of the best islands in Southeast Asia,” he added.
At the same time, the Four Seasons Resort Langkawi was also voted the Best Beach or Upcountry Hotel in Malaysia 2022.
