BERNAMA GETS SPECIAL LANGKAWI TOURISM AWARD

LANGKAWI (Malaysia), Jan 15 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian National News Agency,
Bernama, was among 23 recipients of a special award during the tourism awards
night Langkawi 2009 at the Lada Auditorium Thursday night.

(Lada is the Langkawi Development Authority)

The award was recognition of tourism industry operators and media who
disseminated news and articles to promote the tourism industry of the country in
general and Langkawi's in particular.

Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen and the chairman of the Kedah
Tourism Committee, S.Manikumar, presented the awards, at the function which was
organsised by Tourism Malaysia, Lada and the Langkawi District Office.

Also recognised were airline companies that operated in Langkawi namely
Malaysia Airlines (MAS), AirAsia and Silk Air of Singapore as well as the
Langkawi Homestay Association, The Malaysian Association of Tour And Travel
Agents (Matta) and the Langkawi Tourist Bus Drivers Association.

Former general manager of the Langkawi Tourism Action Council, Shaharudin
Itam, received the 2009 Tourism Personality award.

Underwater World Langkawi received the Best Tourism Product award, while
Haji Ismail Group received the Speciality Stone award.

The Tourism Operator award went to Legend Admire Tour & Travel Sdn Bhd
while Jack Khoo Kian Hock got the Best Tour Driver award.

Skymall Langkawi was given the Best Shopping Centre award, Wan Thai
restaurant the Best Restaurant award, and Four Season Resort Langkawi the Best
Resort Hotel award.

Speaking at the event, Dr Ng said she hoped the quality of services of
Langkawi's tourism industry would be enhanced as the island was a major tourism
destination.

She said among steps that could be taken was to provide courses to taxi
drivers and boat handlers to enable them to provide information to tourists.

-- BERNAMA