'Revamped' Oriental Village for Langkawi?

GEORGE TOWN: A revamped "Oriental Village" in Teluk Burau, with additional features like an events hall and a canopy walk, is likely to emerge as part of the Langkawi Development Authority's (Lada) efforts to boost tourism products in Langkawi.

Business Times has learnt that the existing Geopark Hotel Langkawi, which is sited in the grounds of the themed village, may also undergo a refurbishment and be turned into a boutique hotel.

"It is likely that Lada will incorporate some of the elements outlined by Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd in its business plan for the potential takeover of Oriental Village's operations," industry sources said.

Last year, Business Times reported that Prasarana was in talks with Lada for the proposed takeover in a bid to add value to Prasarana's cable car operations which were sited in the grounds of the Oriental Village on the resort island.

Prasarana yesterday confirmed Business Times' report on Wednesday that it had handed back the cable car operations to asset owner Lada after operating for ten years.

In a statement issued yesterday, Prasarana said the handover was formalised on Tuesday in Langkawi with Prasarana group managing director Datuk Shahril Mokhtar signing an agreement to sell off its shares in Panorama Langkawi to Lada Eco Tourism Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Lada to facilitate the change in ownership.

The firm was represented at the signing ceremony by its chief executive officer Tan Sri Khalid Ramli.

Prasarana was appointed by Lada to take over the operations of the Langkawi cable car services from Machinchang Skyways in November 2002, by bringing in its expertise to run the business.

A year later, Prasarana set up Panorama Langkawi as a special vehicle to manage the operations and business. The handover of the cable car services is reportedly valued at RM3 million.

"Through Panorama Langkawi, we have helped put the island and Langkawi Cable Car in particular on the world map.

"For that, I would like to congratulate my team at Prasarana and also to now my former staff at Panorama Langkawi," Shahril said in the statement.

He also expressed hope that Lada will continue Prasarana's good work and to build on the fact that the cable car services have become a tourism icon for the island.

By Business Times