Misplaced Pages

#456543

32-559: Langkawi Cable Car is located just north of Telaga Harbour, Pantai Kok, with the entrance within 'Oriental Village' at the foothill of the Mat Chincang mountain range. It is located to the north-west of the Langkawi International Airport, on the west coast of the main island of Langkawi. It is approximate 30 minutes drive from Kuah town and 15 minutes drive from Langkawi International Airport. The Langkawi cable car project

64-481: A children play area. The Al-Hana Mosque is one of Langkawi's largest and most popular mosques. It is located in Kuah to accommodate Muslim patrons and allows visitors who come to view the architecture. The mosque incorporates motifs and carvings from Uzbekistan along with traditional Malay elements. The mosque was opened by the first Prime Minister of Malaysia Tunku Abdul Rahman in 1959. Langkawi has been allotted as

96-559: A distance of some 70 meters (230 ft) above the canopy of forest of the Machinchang Range. The Langkawi cable car was completed in August 2002 at a cost of RM 46 million. The soft launch for the cable car was held for six days in October 2002 which was well-received, it then opened to the general public on 1 November 2002. It was officially opened in 2003. The Base Station is located at

128-516: A duty-free zone within the country. Kuah has the highest concentration of shopping centres and shop lots that retail duty-free goods and souvenirs. The Jetty Point Mall is part of the jetty complex itself. It caters to tourists making last-minute shopping before they embark on the ferry back to the mainland. Housed within the mall are many shop lots that stock various duty-free goods. In addition, there are cafes, bakeries and fast food outlets with wireless internet access. The Langkawi Fair Shopping Mall

160-549: A food gallery, the Teow Soon Huat department store and a supermarket selling fresh, frozen and canned foods. The only cinema in Langkawi is located on the 10th floor and there is a multi-level car park attached to shopping mall. The Saga Shopping Centre is a shopping complexes that provides a wide range of household items and perishables such as wine, beer, spirits, confectionery, dried food and tobacco. Haji Ismail Group (HIG) has

192-597: A long span of over 900 metres (3,000 ft). There are three stations for the cable car; the Top Station is located at the peak of Gunung Machinchang which is the second-highest peak of Langkawi. In the middle is an "angle station" where the gondolas make a 45-degree turn to reach the Top Station. As there is no road to the top due to the steepness of Gunung Machinchang, all the structural components needed to be lifted to top with helicopters in combination with an auxiliary working cable and then assembled on site. The gradient or

224-453: A new premise located at Kuah named Haji Ismail Group Complex. The shopping complex sells a variety of items such as chocolate and other foodstuff, kitchenware, household furnishing, batik and clothing. Resort town A resort town , resort city or resort destination is an urban area where tourism or vacationing is the primary component of the local culture and economy . A typical resort town has one or more actual resorts in

256-469: A number of attractions, and it serves as a focal point for tourists wishing to visit other parts of Langkawi. Today, Kuah is a commercial centre with shopping complexes, restaurants , fast food outlets, hotels and handicraft shops. The name Kuah comes from the Malay word for gravy , and legend has it that the town arose from a cup of gravy spilled on the land by two giants, Mat Raya and Mat Cincang (now

288-461: A short walk up the stairs from the top station and offer 360° views. The top station is located 708 m (2,323 ft) above sea-level is about 5 °C cooler than the lowlands. The ride affords a view of the surrounding forest, the Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells) waterfall, as well as the sea. From the top station, there is an inclinator called SkyGlide and a mountain route that allow access to

320-445: Is a point of arrival for tourists from the mainland. With a population of more than 30,000, Kuah has become a major town due to the growth of visitors after Langkawi developed into a tourist centre since 1986. There are a number of hotels in Kuah but it has no resorts , as the town has no proper beach despite being located by the sea. The nightlife in Kuah consists mostly of eating out in seafood restaurants. Kuah nevertheless has

352-415: Is a risk of getting lost. Pre-arrangement with a naturalist guide is necessary. There are some safety issues raised by some of the tourists. Kuah Kuah , Kuah Town or Bandar Kuah is a resort town , mukim and district capital of Langkawi , Kedah , Malaysia . It is the entry point for those coming by ferry from either the mainland or Penang Island. The town is centered on its jetty, which

SECTION 10

#1732851325457

384-486: Is one of the largest shopping malls in Langkawi with over 100 individual shops and an adjoining supermarket cum departmental store. Duty-free goods, along with souvenirs, fashion apparel, sports attire and electronic items, can be purchased here. Other facilities include fast food outlets, a food court, money changer and an information counter for tourists. "Langkawi Parade MegaMall" is a large duty-free shopping mall with over 40 outlets, 8 food and beverage outlets including

416-595: Is within walking distance from the jetty. Adjoining Taman Lagenda is another park, the CHOGM Park, built to commemorate the 1989 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malaysia . Langkawi was the retreat destination for the government heads that attended the function. Until recently the park carried the flags of all the Commonwealth Nations that participated. The park has a man-made beach next to it and

448-584: The Langkawi Sky Bridge . There are two viewing platforms at the top of Machincang mountain, and other amenities. There is a 2.5 km (1.6 mi) walking trail, the SkyTrail, through the forest from the top station that goes down to the middle station, and then the Seven Wells (Telaga Tujuh) waterfall, although walking unguided through the trail is not advisable as the trail is not well-maintained and there

480-400: The cost of living in the region. Sometimes, resort towns can become boomtowns due to the quick development of retirement and vacation-based residences. However, most of the employment available in resort towns are typically low paying and it can be difficult for workers to afford to live the area in which they are employed. Many resort towns have spawned nearby bedroom communities where

512-487: The Base Station to Middle Station covers 1,700 meters (5,600 ft) in length. The Middle Station is at an elevation of 650 m (2,130 ft) above sea level, visitors can alight at the station and walk up to the viewing platform, or continue to travel on the gondolas for another 450 meters (1,480 ft) up to the Top Station. There are two circular viewing platforms at the top of Gunung Machinchang , which are both

544-480: The Langkawi City development. Langkawi City, which is set to be completed in 2024/2025. Langkawi Legend Park is a recreational area opened on 27 April 1996 dedicated to Langkawi's heritage of myths and fables. The park covers an area of 50 hectares of reclaimed land, and is more of an open-air 'garden museum' featuring sculptures, scenic gardens, ponds and fountains, and fruit trees growing around pathways and along

576-660: The Oriental Village, a theme shopping centre housing 30 individually designed buildings showcasing Malaysian and Oriental architecture. From this base, visitors can take the ride to the Machincang range via the Langkawi Cable Car on gondolas. The SkyDome, a 360-degree panorama screen dome theatre located at the Base Station, offers visitors free viewing while they are waiting for their ride on the Cable Car. The gondolas arrive at

608-525: The area working in the tourism or resort industry. Shops and luxury boutiques selling locally themed souvenirs , motels , and unique restaurants often proliferate the downtown areas of a resort town. In the case of the United States, resort towns were created around the late 1800s and early 1900s with the development of early town-making. Many resort towns feature ambitious architecture, romanticizing their location, and dependence on cheap labor. If

640-477: The country's overall economic growth and development. In addition, business generated by resort towns have been credited with supporting the local economy through times of national market failure and depression. In a study conducted by the Urban and Regional Planning Department of Istanbul Technical University , 401 local residents in the resort community of Antalya were interviewed and asked to give their opinion on

672-491: The economic impacts of tourism. Among the participants, 67% had lived in Antalya for over ten years, 66% had at least a high school degree, and 30% reported jobs that were related to tourism. The results are as follows: Perceived impact on select economic impact items (Antalya) More recently, resort towns have come under greater scrutiny by local communities. Instances where resort towns are poorly managed have adverse effects on

SECTION 20

#1732851325457

704-969: The host country or the local communities. Income to local communities generated by tourism are all of the expenditures accrued after taxes, profits, and wages are paid out; however, around 80% of traveler's expenditures go to airlines, hotels, and international companies, not to local businesses. These funds are referred to as leakages . Tourism has also been blamed for other negative economic impacts to local communities. Although resort towns usually boast more improved infrastructure than surrounding areas, these developments usually present high costs to local governments and tax payers. Reallocating government funds to subsidize infrastructure and tax breaks to firms shift available funding to local education and health services. In addition, resort towns typically do not have dynamic economies, resulting in an over dependence on one industry. Economic dependence on tourism poses particular challenges to resort towns and its local residents given

736-400: The jetty. The eagle is the emblem of Langkawi Island as its name is thought by some to have been derived from the Malay word for eagle. The square is a landscaped area with ponds, terraces and bridges. MAHA Tower , formerly known as Langkawi City Tower is a 2-story, 138-meter-tall tower in Kuah, Kedah , Malaysia . It is Malaysia's second tallest tower. It serves as the landmark of

768-519: The local economy. One example is the uneven distribution of income and land ownership between local residents and businesses. During tourist season, increased demand for accommodation may raise the price of land, causing a simultaneous increase in rent for local residents whose income in invariably lower than foreign residents. This results in a preponderance of foreigners in the land market and an erosion of economic opportunities for local residents. The revenues amassed from tourism typically do not benefit

800-658: The majority of the resort workforce lives. Resorts towns sometimes struggle with problems regarding sustainable growth , due to the seasonal nature of the economy, the dependence on a single industry, and the difficulties in retaining a stable workforce. Local residents are generally receptive of the economic impacts of tourism. Resort towns tend to enjoy lower unemployment rates, improved infrastructure, more advanced telecommunication and transportation capabilities, and higher standards of living and greater income in relation to those who live outside this area. Increased economic activity in resort towns can also have positive effects on

832-476: The names of the two highest mountains in Langkawi), while they were fighting. While Kuah is more of a commercial centre and shopping zone, there are a few landmark attractions. Most of these are recreational parks. The main highlight of Dataran Lang ( Malay for 'Eagle Square') is a 12-meter high sculpture in the shape of a sea-eagle perched on rocks in pre-flight pose. It is located on the waterfront of Kuah near

864-472: The ponds. Along with the flowering vegetation, the park has 17 sculptures that depict the many legends found in Langkawi , such as the duel between two giants that led to the formation of Mounts Mat Cincang and Raya, mythical birds and fairy-tales of princesses. In addition, there are 4 artificial lakes and a man-made beach to complement the picturesque scenery. The park is open from morning till late at night and

896-457: The resorts or tourist attractions are seasonal in nature (such as a ski resort ), resort towns typically experience an on-season where the town is bustling with tourists and workers, and an off-season where the town is populated only by a small amount of local year-round residents. In addition, resort towns are often popular with wealthy retirees and people wishing to purchase vacation homes , which typically drives up property values and

928-644: The slope between the Base Station and the Middle Station is said to be one of the steepest in the world at 42°. It has the longest free span for a mono-cable car at 950 m (3,120 ft). When there are strong winds, the cable car operation would be put on hold. There are 35 normal gondolas, each of these can carry six persons with total weight up to 480 kg (1,060 lb), with a total maximum capacity of 700 to 800 passengers per hour. There are also 4 bottom glass gondolas which sit 6 passengers and 2 VIP gondolas each with 3 leather seats. The gondolas travel at

960-399: The station around every 30 seconds. The cable car may be closed 2 days a month in a predetermined maintenance schedule, and in bad weather condition. An intermediate Cable Car station on the eastern ridges provides access to the eastern cliffs with its 3 vertical chimneys and the 360-degree views. The gondolas make a 45-degree turn at this "angle station" to reach the top. The journey from

992-471: The surrounding area. Sometimes the term resort town is used simply for a locale popular among tourists. One task force in British Columbia used the definition of an incorporated or unincorporated contiguous area where the ratio of transient rooms, measured in bed units, is greater than 60% of the permanent population. Generally, tourism is the main export in a resort town economy, with most residents of

Langkawi Cable Car - Misplaced Pages Continue

1024-501: Was first mooted in 1999 by the then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad when he flew over Gunung Machinchang in a helicopter during his visit to Langkawi. The project was a joint venture by Doppelmayr of Austria and a local company. After a survey of the mountain conducted in May 2000, the construction of Langkawi Cable Car began in April 2001. The gondola cable car system was selected as it permitted

#456543