LANGKAWI SET FOR 1,750 NEW UPSCALE HOTEL ROOMS WITHIN TWO YEARS

By Shakir Husain

NEW DELHI, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's top beach holiday destination, Langkawi, is ready for a boom in its upscale accommodation with 1,750 additional hotel rooms set to come on stream within the next two years.

The expansion will grow the island’s existing five-star room inventory by about 85 per cent.

Langkawi has about 20,000 hotel rooms across all classifications, including 2,017 in the five-star segment and 2,376 four-star rooms, according to Muzaffar Zoher of the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA).

"Six more high-end properties are under construction in Langkawi. These should open within two years," Muzaffar told Bernama at a tourism industry fair in New Delhi.

The popular Cenang beach area will welcome three new properties under the Hilton, Marriott International and Tropicana Corporation groups, while Burau Bay is set to receive a new hotel by Hilton.

A Ramada hotel is set to open at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club in Kuah town, while the D’Citrine mixed-use development is expected to further boost the hospitality sector.

"These projects will enhance Langkawi's appeal as a year-round luxury getaway," Muzaffar said.

The majority of foreign visitors to Langkawi come from India, China, the United Kingdom and various Arab countries.

More than 25 per cent of Indian travellers to Malaysia include Langkawi in their itinerary.

Malaysia’s visa-free entry policy for Indian tourists has led to a rise in honeymooners, solo travellers and families visiting Langkawi.

-- BERNAMA