Langkawi is the region’s first global geo-park, a status which it attained in 2007.
The Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) has earmarked green, sustainable projects as part of its efforts to expand tourism on the island resort here.
LADA, the authority in charge of developing Langkawi and its cluster of 99 islands, wants to bank on its Unesco accredited global geo-park status, as well as other sustainable efforts to woo a new breed of tourists.
Its tourism manager Lt Kol Dr Azmil Munif Mohd Bukhari said that the geo-park status meant that Langkawi is home to sustainable initiatives.
He said tourists prefer destinations which are rich in sustainability, conservation and preservation and wants to see more efforts from the private sector to cultivate the growth of sustainable activities and best practises on the island.
This, he said would help position Langkawi as a hub for green and geo-park initiatives.
Langkawi is the region’s first global geo-park, a status which it attained in 2007.
The status calls for Langkawi to explore and conserve its geological heritage, biodiversity, cultural heritage, sustainable initiative besides raising the threshold of education and public awareness about what geo-park stands for.
Azmil said that to further improve its geo-park standing, LADA has decided to collaborate with veteran media practitioners to host the inaugural Green & Geo – Park Excellence Awards (GAGA), which is slated to be held on November 22 at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre in Padang Matsirat.
Speaking at the soft launching of GAGA at the Frangipani Resort here, Azmil said that the event will showcase the best geo-park practices and sustainable initiatives in both the public and private sectors.
Besides the awards event, LADA will also host a green conference where participants from within the ASEAN region, including many local and regional environmental groups, would be invited to attend.
A notable invitee is the Philippines – based Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) group, who will share their experiences in helping an island called Siquijor which is acclaimed for its zero waste policy.
Anthony Wong Kim Fei, the owner of Frangipani, the country’s first recognised green hospitality property, will lend his expertise in vetting the participants for the excellence awards.
He told a press conference that tourists nowadays look at the sustainable credentials of hotels before they choose to book them.
Also many international chains have incorporated sustainable best practises into their hospitality operations, said Wong.
GAGA chief organiser K.Y. Pung spoke of the motivation to host such an event in an age where society is called to address the ill effects from climate change.
Pung said that the excellence awards is the best platform to recognise best green practises among both the public and private sector.
