Tourism players distancing themselves from Langkawi Tourism Association

LANGKAWI: Tourism industry players here has distanced themselves from the Langkawi Tourism Association (LTA) and now mulling the idea of forming a federation to group all the tourism-related associations on the island.

Among them was Langkawi Business Association (LBA) deputy president Datuk Alexander Isaac said public statements issued by the LTA particularly during the 14th general election period did not reflect the opinions and views of all the tourism industry players in Langkawi.

“The LTA has misrepresented the tourism industry because we have remained quiet all this while. Seriously, has damaged us. The wrong message had been sent out,” he said.

His remarks came following recent statements from the LTA, which had been less in line with the industry needs and more towards supporting certain political leaders, while ridiculing others.

He said tourism players should learn from what happened before and after the 14th General Election stand in support the government of the day rather than to endorse partisan attitudes.

“We must remember that this election had shown us one thing … that the rakyat are the winners. The government of the day’s job is to ensure that we have a good base and we should do the rest and not be overly dependent on them,” he said.

Alexander, who is also the Malaysian Travel and Tours Association (MATTA) Kedah/Perlis Chapter agreed with the idea for a federation to unite all the tourism-related bodies under an umbrella entity but at the same time ensure the freedom of the individual associations within it.

“Seriously this is the perfect time for us to work together and not to be misrepresented anymore. The federation should be led by somebody who has experience and is respected by all players in the tourism industry,” he added.

Langkawi Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Association (Usahabumi Langkawi) secretary, Ahmad Phisol Ishak concurred with Alexander that associations should not be used in pursuitof personal agendas.

Sharing his experience of being a founding member of the LTA two decades back, he said the direction of the association now was different from the time when he was active in it.

“As far as I know before, LTA was a well-structured association that not only involved the tourism industry players but also representatives from the relevant government agencies as exofficios.

Now, I don’t even know who their members are,” he said.

Ahmad Phisol said it was timely for the island’s tourism players to re-organise themselves as Langkawi would be hosting the Pacific-Asia Travel Association Travel Mart this September, which would be an opportunity for them to market their products.

“We should get ourselves organised properly and get a team that really works as a team… only then can we show our colours to the rest of the world,” he added.

He said tourism players would have to identify what should be improved now rather than to wait for the event to pinpoint their weaknesses.

Meanwhile, LTA chief executive officer Zainudin Kadir said he was aware that some people were not satisfied with the stand taken by the association.