JOHOR BARU, Dec 24 — The Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) will focus on the development of cultural tourism next year to elevate Langkawi’s cultural DNA or create an identity for the tourist destination.

Lada chief executive officer (CEO) Nasaruddin Abdul Muttalib said the four-day media retreat programme in Johor beginning last Wednesday proved to be an effective information sharing platform especially when given the opportunity to visit the Johor Heritage Foundation (YWJ).

“This programme with the media has also allowed Lada to gain more knowledge on infrastructure and facility management and development in line with Lada’s role in developing Langkawi and managing the assets, facilities and investments on the island.

“We also exchanged and shared knowledge during our visit to Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP), Dataran Iskandar Puteri and the Puteri Harbour Ferry Terminal during the programme,” he said in a statement today.

Bernama’s Kedah bureau was one of the media agencies which participated in the retreat programme

Lada also hopes to build better cooperation with the media in its promotional activities and publicity programmes for Langkawi tourism as it will be preparing a more robust communication action plan next year.

Meanwhile, Nasaruddin said the island resort recorded 2.36 million tourists or achieved 94.43 per cent of the set target of 2.5 million tourists in 2022 as of December 10.

“Looking at the tourist arrival trend this school holiday season, Lada is confident of meeting its 2.5 million target by the end of this year,” he said.

He said that among the events to attract international and domestic tourists this school holiday season was the Bendang Festival at Laman Padi which took place from December 16 to 18 and the upcoming Langkawi Blues Festival (December 25 to 27) and Cup Fishing Tournament (December 30 and 31). — Bernama