Langkawi to be branded as Monaco of the East

The Malaysian Prime Minister wants to turn Langkawi into a high-end tourist destination to spur numerous multiplier effects for the local economy. In a recent report by Bernama News, Prime Minister Najib Razak wants more effort to be put to turn Langkawi into a high-net-worth tourist destination in the region. Speaking during the Langkawi Tourism Awards 2015 ceremony at the Langkawi International Convention Centre (LICC) here recently, he said efforts to turn Langkawi into the “Monaco of the East” for well-heeled tourists should be done while maintaining its attraction for mass tourism.

The Prime Minister said – “I would like to see Langkawi emerge as the ‘Monaco of the East’ for high net-worth tourists, while maintaining its appeal for mass tourism. I would like to see two-tier development for Langkawi, one for mass tourism and another one for high-net-worth tourists,” he said. He said turning Langkawi to a high-end tourist destination for deep-pocketed tourists would spur numerous multiplier effects for the local economy such as creating high-paying jobs.”

According to the Prime Minister, there are pockets of high-end tourist destinations in Langkawi such as the St Regis luxurious hotel, but the development for that kind of destinations need to be enhanced. Langkawi’s St Regis hotel, known for its luxury rooms and facilities, he said, will open its doors to customers in April next year, bringing along a Michelin-star restaurant to the island which will also be the first Michelin-star restaurant in Langkawi Island.

The Prime Minister was also hopeful that the responsible parties would develop stronger brands for Langkawi, to put the island in the same league as Bali, which is more recognisable among tourists as compared to Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta.

Another one of Langkawi’s plus points that needed to be highlighted to tourists Najib said, was that the island is peaceful, secure and safe from disturbances, which engulfed other tourist destinations in other parts of the world. The Prime Minister cited terrorist attacks suffered by other tourist destinations like what happened in Sharm-el Sheikh in Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia and other places.

“Langkawi should remain peaceful, safe and secure and efforts should be made to maintain it,” he said and in jest added that he hoped that there were no supporters of the so called Islamic State (IS) militants or Daesh terrorists in Langkawi. Najib also hoped the authorities would put in more effort to attract Russian tourists.

Main Image: St.Regis Langkawi Island, image from Starwood Hotels. Story from Bernama News on Langkawi to be branded as Monaco of the East.

Islamic-compliant Airline Rayani Air
Malaysia’s first Islamic-compliant airline Rayani Air began operations Sunday with its maiden flight taking off from the capital to the resort island of Langkawi, local media reported. In-flight meals served on board its flights are completely halal, with alcohol consumption strictly prohibited.

Muslim flight crew must don the hijab while non-Muslim crew are to be decently dressed, managing director Jaafar Zamhari told reporters. There will also be prayer recitals before take-off.

“We are the first Malaysian airline to be shariah-compliant based on guidelines by relevant authorities. We are proud of this,” Jaffar was quoted as saying by The Star newspaper. “The shariah-compliant aspects will be refined as time goes by,” he added using the Arabic word for Islamic law.

Rayani Air New Airline
There are already other shariah-friendly carriers operating around the world, and UK-based Firnas Airways is planning to offer similar flights next year, according to a Bloomberg new agency report. Under the concept of halal – meaning “permissible” in Arabic – pork and its by-products, alcohol and animals not slaughtered according to Islamic procedures are all “haram” or forbidden.

Halal standards also apply to products such as cosmetics, which may contain animal-derived ingredients, and the conditions under which they are prepared and stored. Muslim-majority Malaysia has long practised a moderate form of Islam but conservative attitudes are rising.

Rayan Air Destinations
A company recently introduced halal bottled mineral water in Malaysia, and Islamic speed dating sessions – where single women are chaperoned – have been embraced. A halal convention in Kuala Lumpur earlier this year, which drew thousands of delegates and hundreds of exhibitors, showcased products ranging from food and cosmetics to collagen produced from yaks in Tibet. Visit www.rayaniair.com for more information.

Rayani Air Malaysia made headlines on Airline News Asia in July and August 2014 when the new airlinr concept was introduced and this latest article source is from – http://news.asiaone.com/news/travel/malaysias-first-islamic-compliant-airline-rayani-air-takes for Malaysia’s first Islamic-compliant Airline Rayani Air.