GEORGE TOWN, June 22 — With almost three million tourists visiting Langkawi annually, the new tourism promotional fee will go a long way towards the upkeep of the public infrastructure and cleanliness of the island.

Malaysian Association of Hotels (Kedah/Perlis chapter) chairman Yap Lip Seng said the new fee, which comes into effect from July 1, will also help the local authorities to promote hotels in Langkawi locally and abroad.

The fee ranges from RM1 to RM9 depending on the status of the hotel.

“We support the idea to collect the fee as it will benefit the tourism industry,” Yap told Malay Mail.

“About three million tourists visit the island annually and it is only fair that they contribute to the upkeep of the infrastructure.”

Yap said the by-laws in Langkawi, which is a duty-free free destination, did not allow for any levy to be charged and so the fee must go back to tourism-related ventures.

“We have had discussions with the local council on how this money will be used and how it can go back to the community,” the said.

“It was supposed to be implemented this month but we told the council the hotels will have to give ample notice to their guests so that they are aware of the fee,” the said.

He said the Kedah/Perlis chapter of the Malaysian Association of Hotels, which has 42 members, had been invited to sit on the committee which would decide how the proceeds were to be used.

“Our suggestions include a better system of rubbish collection and maintenance of public infrastructure,” he said.

Malaysia Nature Society (MNS) Langkawi chairman Eric Sinnayah, a pioneer travel agent and tour guide on the island, said the fund should be used to further promote the holiday destination.

“Part of the fees can be used to protect the geo-park status and to conserve nature,” Eric, who is also an executive council member of the Malaysian Tourism Council, said.

Deputy president of the Langkawi Business Association Datuk Alexander Issac said the fee should be used to maintain the cleanliness of the island and to safeguard the geo park.

“It is good that the tourism promotional fee is being implemented. I hope the funds are utilised in a transparent manner, like what is being done in Penang, so they will benefit everyone.”

From July 1, guests will be charged a fee of RM1 for staying in a one or two-star hotel, RM3 in a three- or four-star hotel, RM5 in a five-star hotel, RM7 in a six-star hotel, and RM9 in a seven-star hotel.

Similar fees for hotels guests are being charged in Penang, Malacca and Kuala Lumpur but termed as “local government fees”.