Its chief executive officer, Nasaruddin Abdul Muttalib said that with the arrival of this number of tourists, Langkawi is expected to benefit from the estimated RM165 million that these tourists will spend.

“Based on a study conducted by LADA and Universiti Sains Malaysia, the average per day expenditure of a local tourist on the island is around RM412.

“The expenditure includes accommodation, food, transportation and entrance tickets to the tourism centres in Langkawi,” he said at a news conference, here, today.

Nasaruddin said for the initial period following the reopening of Langkawi to tourists, LADA was targeting a modest figure of about 2,000 tourist arrivals per day and 30,000 within a two-week period this month.

“We don’t want to be too excited, targeting a high number of tourists until the situation becomes out of control. What is important is good control over the presence of tourists here.

“The number of tourists will rise from time to time when the number of flights and ferry services to the island increases, expected to be soon,” he added.

Nasaruddin also said that on the first day of Langkawi’s reopening to tourists, there would be five flights from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, Selangor.

On the ferry services, he said there would be three trips from Kuala Perlis and the number would be increased with the reopening of the Kuala Kedah ferry terminal when the enhanced movement control order in Kuala Kedah ends, likely on Sept 19.

“Entry to the island in stages will enable the tourism industry players to make sufficient preparations to receive more tourists in future,” he added.