The legendary island of Langkawi expects to draw more than two million tourists this year, up from the over 1.8 million it received last year, according to the Langkawi Development Authority (Lada).

Lada public relations manager Ramizi Hassan told Bernama today that the resort island hoped to attract the tourists through 31 tourism activities that had been planned by the Langkawi Tourism Action Council.

He said the large number of tourists who arrived during the Chinese New Year holidays earlier this week was a favourable indication for the tourism industry.

All rooms taken

Up to 7,500 hotel rooms and chalets were taken up during that period, he added.

Langkawi Hire Cars Owners and Drivers Association chairperson Yusof Abdullah also told Bernama said the influx of tourists earlier this week was a boon to the over 400 taxi drivers on the island.

Many hotels on the picturesque Pantai Cenang were all fully booked during the CNY holidays.