YAN, April 8 — Its beautiful and pristine nature makes Songsong Island here as one of the destinations to be focused on by Tourism Malaysia, to spur tourism activities in the district specifically, and Kedah in general.
Realising the potential of the small uninhabited island, Kedah Tourism manager Nor Azlan Fitri Abd Razak said Tourism Malaysia would work together with the Yan District Council (MDY) to upgrade the facilities there to welcome tourists.
“We will carry out upgrading works on the basic facilities such as toilets and surau (for day trippers currently) at Pulau Songsong soon and expected to be completed by the year-end.
“A square at Pulau Songsong will also be built with lights around it and MDY is understood will place personnel at the island to ensure its cleanliness and visitors’ safety,” he told reporters after the launching of the Tourism Package to Kuala Muda and Yan District post-Movement Control Order (MCO), here, today.
Tourism Malaysia northern region deputy director M.Yoganthiran was also present, with Tourism Malaysia, MDY, the island’s boat community and tourism agent MLS Travel and Tourism involved in the ‘gotong-royong’ (communal) clean-up on the island.
Meanwhile, Yoganthiran said besides Songsong Island, several other destinations in the district and Kuala Muda were also included in the new tourism package.
He said the package, a collaborative effort with MLS Travel and Tours, aimed to revive the tourism sector which has been badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and MCO.
“The launching of the travel package shows that Kedah is ready to receive tourist arrivals and is prepared with numerous packages and interesting offers to attract tourists to the state,” he said.
MLS Travel and Tours managing director, Ng Kooi Wei said there were over 10 destinations offered through the package including the Sungai Batu Archaeological Site, Lembah Bujang Archaeological Museum, Gunung Jerai, Tanjung Dawai and islands, namely Songsong Island, Bidan Island and Telur Island.
“We expect that after the MCO, more will visit the island besides other destinations…at the moment, the tourists comprise the people of Kedah only,” he said.
