LADA Chief Describes Vision for Langkawi Geopark
| by Paul Penders | November 26, 2007
At a luncheon hosted at Kilim Geoforest Park in late August by natural cosmetics manufacturer Paul Penders, the General Manager of Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) described his vision for the island following its designation earlier this year as a UNESCO Geopark.
“Langkawi was the first Geopark in Malaysia as well as Southeast Asia,” said Dato’ Kamarulzaman Abdul Ghani. “We want to lead the way for the region to develop more Geoparks.”
Derived from the word, “geology”, or study of the earth, the term Geopark refers to an area that has significant rock formations as well as unique landscapes. In 2000, the United Nations Education, Social and Culture Organization (UNESCO) established the concept as a means to encourage appreciation and protection of the environment. Since then, more than 60 Geoparks have been designated around the world. Eighteen of these are in China. In mid 2007, UNESCO updated its requirements so that each country can now have only two Geoparks.
Designation as a Geopark could provide an important boost for tourism, as a way to publicize an area’s natural beauty.
General Manager Kamarulzaman said that Langkawi is being advertised heavily. The emphasis, he said, is on the island’s tourist value, rather than its interest for geologists.
He hopes to retain Langkawi’s natural beauty while expanding its tourist infrastructure. “We envision Langkawi as a friendly, educational, relaxing destination. We don’t want to compete with Phuket,” said the GM.
Phuket is one of Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations and is known for its glittering nightlife and city-like feel.
Over the past 16 years, the Federal Government of Malaysia has invested more than 2 billion ringgits ($700 million) developing the 104 islands of Langkawi. Going forward, said General Manager Kamarulzaman, development will continue on Tuba Island with a new road and observation deck to be built at Wang Buluh cave, a coastal road and a motorcycle crossway at Tuba-Selat Bagan Nyior. Other projects include walkways and an observation deck at Kilim Geopark Forest, boardwalks at Dayang Bunting Lake and new signs at all Langkawi tourist attractions.
The timing of the development coincides with the prediction made by an old island legend. According to the tale, Langkawi was cursed by Mahsuri, a woman who was falsely accused by her mother-in-law of having an affair. The lady vowed that if she were innocent, her blood would flow white after she was put to death, and Langkawi would languish for seven generations. Her blood did reportedly turn white and after many years of relative obscurity, Langkawi is now starting to enjoy a growing tourist trade.
It will take three to five years, however, to see the full effect of Langkawi’s Geopark status, said General Manager Kamarulzaman. Most of the island’s hotels, he said, continue to focus on Langkawi’s white sand beaches.
“Langkawi was the first Geopark in Malaysia as well as Southeast Asia,” said Dato’ Kamarulzaman Abdul Ghani. “We want to lead the way for the region to develop more Geoparks.”
Derived from the word, “geology”, or study of the earth, the term Geopark refers to an area that has significant rock formations as well as unique landscapes. In 2000, the United Nations Education, Social and Culture Organization (UNESCO) established the concept as a means to encourage appreciation and protection of the environment. Since then, more than 60 Geoparks have been designated around the world. Eighteen of these are in China. In mid 2007, UNESCO updated its requirements so that each country can now have only two Geoparks.
Designation as a Geopark could provide an important boost for tourism, as a way to publicize an area’s natural beauty.
General Manager Kamarulzaman said that Langkawi is being advertised heavily. The emphasis, he said, is on the island’s tourist value, rather than its interest for geologists.
He hopes to retain Langkawi’s natural beauty while expanding its tourist infrastructure. “We envision Langkawi as a friendly, educational, relaxing destination. We don’t want to compete with Phuket,” said the GM.
Phuket is one of Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations and is known for its glittering nightlife and city-like feel.
Over the past 16 years, the Federal Government of Malaysia has invested more than 2 billion ringgits ($700 million) developing the 104 islands of Langkawi. Going forward, said General Manager Kamarulzaman, development will continue on Tuba Island with a new road and observation deck to be built at Wang Buluh cave, a coastal road and a motorcycle crossway at Tuba-Selat Bagan Nyior. Other projects include walkways and an observation deck at Kilim Geopark Forest, boardwalks at Dayang Bunting Lake and new signs at all Langkawi tourist attractions.
The timing of the development coincides with the prediction made by an old island legend. According to the tale, Langkawi was cursed by Mahsuri, a woman who was falsely accused by her mother-in-law of having an affair. The lady vowed that if she were innocent, her blood would flow white after she was put to death, and Langkawi would languish for seven generations. Her blood did reportedly turn white and after many years of relative obscurity, Langkawi is now starting to enjoy a growing tourist trade.
It will take three to five years, however, to see the full effect of Langkawi’s Geopark status, said General Manager Kamarulzaman. Most of the island’s hotels, he said, continue to focus on Langkawi’s white sand beaches.
Article Source: http://www.articleset.com
You are welcome to publish or reprint this article free of charge, provided:
- you include the entire article, unchanged, including the "About The Author" box
- all hyperlinks remain active, including the bottom ArticleSet.com link (does not apply to print publications)
- you agree not to hold the authors nor ArticleSet.com liable for any loss profits, expenses, or any other damages resulting from the use or misuse of articles published on this website
Menu
Home Top ArticlesTop AuthorsSubmit ArticleArticleSet BlogLink To UsArticle FeedsTermsContactFeatured
Language
