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Deputy Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan has proposed positioning Langkawi as a ‘Preferred Muslim Destination’ This initiative seeks to boost the State’s competitiveness for the upcoming Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026).
It aims to attract more Muslim tourists by focusing on family-friendly and spiritual tourism.
Khairul addressed the Dewan Rakyat, emphasising the need for Malaysia to focus on niche sectors to compete with other regional islands. He noted that while Langkawi may struggle against other popular destinations, it could stand out by catering specifically to Muslim tourists.
Seputeh Member of Parliament (MP) Teresa Kok Suh Sim raised concerns about the potential negative impact of state-level policies on tourism. These policies, such as prohibiting alcohol drinking and wearing shorts, are not seen as tourist-friendly.
Said Khairul: “The situation is well and under control.”
Khairul does not believe this concern warrants significant attention or intervention, labelling it as a ‘trivial matter’.
Yet, Khairul’s proposal sparked concerns among various stakeholders. Former minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim expressed scepticism, questioning the practicality of this approach.
Zaid pointed out that Muslim-friendly destinations like Kuala Terengganu and Kota Bharu and international cities such as Jakarta and Dubai already cater to this market.
He argued that Langkawi might struggle to attract Muslim tourists unless significant changes are made, such as segregated beaches for men and women and reducing the availability of certain types of entertainment.
Industry players in Langkawi have also voiced their reservations.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a boat charter company, Alexander Isaac, and Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Kedah and Perlis Chapter President Eugene Dass stressed the importance of upgrading existing facilities rather than imposing new religious guidelines.
Dass argued that focusing on one specific demographic will not necessarily make Langkawi more competitive as a tourist destination.
“Even if we can push to become a ‘preferred Muslim destination’ now, our facilities are not ready,” he added.
Meanwhile, tour operator Pishol Ishak dismissed the proposal as a marketing gimmick, arguing that Langkawi should remain open to all tourists to maximise its appeal.
“Once we focus only on wooing Muslim tourists, we will lose out,” he said.
This viewpoint adds to the ongoing debate about the future of Langkawi’s tourism sector, underlining the crucial importance of considering all perspectives and finding a balanced approach that caters to the diverse needs of all tourists.
