Impact Of Tourism On Small Business Performance

Location of Datai Bay

Discuss about the Impact of Tourism on Small Business Performance.

The mystical and serene island of Langkawi is famous for its beauty. It is located in the Peninsular Malaysia, where the Strait of Malacca meets the enormous Indian Ocean. It is located thirty kilometres off the Kedah Coast, Langkawi. The word Langkawi means “reddish brown eagle” in the colloquial language of Malay. It is not just one Island but a collection of 99 islands which form a beautiful archipelago. It is a duty free island and is populated by around 99,000 people. Out of the total population, majority of them are Malay. The island comprises lofty limestone outcrops, dense vegetation, virgin beaches and azure waters. This diverse setting offers the perfect getaway for nature lovers, marine and sea sports enthusiasts and also for those who purely seek the presence of solitude.

Langkawi is often defined as a tropical paradise and there are enough reasons for defining it in such a way. The oldest geological formation of the island, namely Gunung Mat Chinchang was the first part of Southeast Asia to rise from the seabed at the time of the Cambria, which was around half a billion years ago. The oldest part of the formation is found at Teluk Datai to the North West of the Island. There are several attraction sites throughout the island. There are several places for several adventure sports.

There are places for diving enthusiasts as well as snorkelling activities. The waters around the marine park feature a dazzling display of corals and aquatic species which include several moray eels, rock groupers, black tip sharks and clown fish. The cab rides offer a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the natural splendour that Langkawi has to offer. The rides are popular in the mornings or the early evenings for providing a view of the breathtaking sunset. Information can be obtained about the traditional folktales and also the legends commonly told. All in all it can be said that the place is extremely beautiful for the tourists to explore and behold.

It is believed that the Datai Bay is a product of imagination of the beholder. It seems as a crescent shaped bay and the tropical South East Asian Andaman Sea waters are extremely beautifully and deliciously tepid and it is easily to bathe a new born in it. On the shore there is a lone macaque which is serene and peaceful. It is basically majorly decorated. The bay allows a person to be completely moved by its serenity and beauty. The resort of Datai, located on the Langkawi Island, off the top north-west tip of Malaysia has been skilfully and beautifully designed in order to envelope the rainforest which comes down from the mountains to the ocean through the densest of vegetation (langkawi-info.com. 2017).

Reasons for Popularity of Datai Bay

A very small club near the water’s edge is visible but unobtrusive, with the main public of the resort which was 300 metres from the beach. The best architecture is not what we always see. This is clearly understood from the Datai Bay beach.

The Datai Bay is perched on the edge of the Andaman Sea, which is a long crescent of pristine and sandy beach. It is located at the northwest tip of Langkawi. The Datai Bay was featured in the National Geographic’s Top Ten Beaches in the World. It is acknowledged as one of the island’s most beautiful and unaltered beaches. The visitors need to look ahead in order to view the tiny island by the name of Pulau Anak Datai at the top of the clear waters which are turquoise blue in colour (langkawi-info.com. 2017).

It stretches for about 1.5 Kilometres in length. The white beach merges with the lush foliage of a rainforest of 500-hectares area. The rainforest forms the base of the base of the Gurung Mat Chinchang, which is an 850-metre high mountain which cocoons the Datai Bay. Formed around 500 million years ago, it stands as the oldest mountain in the entire part of Southeast Asia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Geopark. Several exptic species which include dusky langurs, colugos, hornbills and some of different species of butterflies find home in the rainforest at the foothills of Gurung Mat Chinchang, as their home.

The Datai Bay, known as Teluk Datai is actually a 40-minute drive from Langkawi International Airport and a 50-minute drive from the tourist-friendly areas of Pantai Cenang and Pantai Tengah. The Datai Langkawi resort is in the immediate vicinity and offers a five star experience and also exclusive amount of access to the indescribable beauty of the Datai Bay (Othman and Rosli 2011).

Datai Bay is famous for its richness in the marine life and the beauty of the coral reefs can be found at the place. The Indo-pacific humpback dolphins frequent the Bay which are an extreme source of beauty. These dolphins come to the bay in search of food and also showcase their acrobatic abilities which are beautiful to watch. These involve the leaping and breaching out of the water. The visitors are specially informed about their abilities and are asked to be present in order to witness the wonders. The dolphins and their lookout for food is responsible for providing the tourists and local visitors alike with a wonderful experience (Irwana Omar, Ghapar Othman and Mohamed 2014).

Activities at the Bay

Quite close to it is the Els Club Teluk Datai, which is an awards winning Ernie Els designed championship golf course. This is extremely significant in the heart of the place as the facilities also provide a touch of urban convenience in such an unlikely place. The visitors are also encouraged not to miss the place at any cost. This is because of the reason that the sights as well as the sounds of the area are worth enjoying (Othman and Rosli 2011).

The tourists and the visitors who come to the Teluk Datai are encouraged to bask and enjoy the sights and the sounds of the area. The silhouette of the ancient mountain range is to be viewed and enjoyed by them. They are also asked to experience the luxury of the place in the feel of the sun-warmed golden sands. The beauty of the place is worth mentioning. The feeling of serenity and peace which is provided by the place is not provided by any other place. The ambience is one of refuge and the feeling which one feels is incomparable. The feeling of being at one with nature is very precious and beautiful (The Datai Langkawi. 2017).

Overall the Datai Langkawi offers a myriad variety of captivating activities without ever needing to leave the premises of the resort. The Datai Langkawi is basically nestled in a virgin rainforest at the shores of the Andaman Sea.

There are activities like the complimentary morning and evening rainforest walks which are guided by the internationally renowned Resident Naturalist. There are possibilities of learning about the mysteries of a 10-million year old rainforest and getting captivating by the close encounters with a rare amount of wildlife species including flying squirrels and colugos (The Datai Langkawi. 2017).

A trekking tour can be booked with a local medicine man in order to learn about the potent jungle plants which are in use for thousands of years by the local healers and shamans. In order to visit the rainforest with family, it is required to opt for a train to a nearby jungle stream which is to be perfect for a refreshing swim. The sea adventures are a better option in case of performing it on a complementary basis just like snorkelling gear, windsurfs, sea kayaks and also sail boats.

The extensive amount of resort grounds and the nearby areas are also perfect areas for cycling purposes. There is easy availability of Mountain Bikes. They are available at no possible charge as well. In order to continue the routine of workout, the tourists can take advantage of the Datai Gym as well. The gym is really well equipped with a range of resistance as well as cardiovascular equipment. Sauna is even available in case of both men’s and women’s changing rooms. Two tennis courts are available at the Els Club Teluk Datai which is a drive of 5 minutes away. The people who are in quest of more quiet activities, can enjoy the Malay as well as Thai culinary dishes and workshops of different kinds. The Datai Boutique is tempting with an exquisite collection of books on nature, art pieces, home accessories, hand sourced garments and even ethnic jewelleries (Salehudin et al. 2012).

There are several hotels in Langkawi which are very much in abundance. These include modest hotels and backpacker inns which are situated along the Pantai and most importantly there are also luxury resorts in the Datai Bay. The place is special as it is well frequented by both locals and foreigners. It is a tropical paradise with swaying palm trees, cool- ocean blue waters and also a verdant jungle as its interior.

In order to facilitate accommodation, there is an extensive compilation of hotels in Langkawi which are at rates which are unbeatable. All are available according to the location and accommodation types for the simplification of research for the perfect place in order to stay. In order to provide cosy guestrooms with breathtaking views of the Andaman Sea and surrounding rainforest, friendly service and also a wide range of onsite facilities which include easy access to the must-visit attractions. The Datai Bay hotels are a providing an exclusive retreat for a featuring the private accommodation which are award winning (Tripadvisor.in. 2017).

There are also majority of places for shopping in Langkawi. The shopping facilities are so good that it gives competition to the beautiful beaches as well as vast mountains as these are the best reasons for visiting the tropical island. Under the duty free status it has a large amount of shopping malls which are concentrated in certain key places and there are also a lot of retail outlets which are responsible for stocking in demand items from all around the World. It also includes the cigarettes, chocolates luggage, apparel, perfumes and cooking utensils. It is a favourite holiday destination among the Malaysians as also for the foreign tourists.

The most important benefit of Langkawi shopping is that the shopping scene is not only limited to modern establishments which sell the imported goods. In this particular island, the handmade souvenirs and also the authentic batik and songket prints which are available in abundance and are also sold vat very attractive prices. A night market is also hosted which is held in different locations in different parts of the world. In these markets there are rows and rows of goods which are displayed, including exquisite apparels, trinkets and souvenirs which have intricate carvings, fresh produce as also local delicacies and also snacks.

The Datai is a 40 minute drive from the Langkawi International Airport, which is 20 kilometres West of Langkawi’s main town Kuah. The major carriers that fly to Langkawi include Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Firefly, Malindo, Silk Air and Tiger Air. The daily flights connect Langkawi with Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Singapore. The flight time between Kuala Lumpur and Lamgkawi is not much (Tripadvisor.in. 2017).

The departure points for the visitors who decide to travel by boat or ferry to Langkawi are Kuala Perlis, Kuala Kedah and Georgetown. Visitors from Thailand might also depart from Satun or Koh Lipe.

Another noteworthy place is the rainforest sanctuary. The Datai Spa with four open-air villas set around a winding stream is designed to help the visitors feel the spirit of the surrounding nature. The sounds of the purling creek blends with the songs of a Cicada and also the joyful chirpings of birds, the air is infused with an earthly jungle aroma and while enjoying a bath where there is the possibility of spotting any sort of animals.

There are private changing facilities, indoor and outdoor showers and also a spacious soak tub with a river view. The charming Spa villas along provides an intimate atmosphere and are designed to accommodate two people.

The spa is inspired by the ancient healing and the beauty tradition of Ramaun, there are several indigenous Malay Rituals which have the power of rare amount of medicinal plants. The secret recipes are followed which were used by local shamamns. The therapists are and are completely tuned to every visitor’s needs and they are responsible for bringing a state of complete harmony for anyone who visits the place.

The hotels around the place also offer both rental as well as chauffer services. There are also maps available at the concierge desk and the concierge team is always pleased to assist the tourists in planning a trip throughout the island. Thus it can be easily said that the island has good amount of transportation facilities. It is not a problem to navigate around the island.  

The forest is several million years old. The Datai is blessed with an abundance of plant life and wildlife. The foliage around the resort is home to most of the fascinating animals including the great hornbill, the dusky leaf monkey, the rare colugo, macaques, lizards and so on. There are complimentary morning and evening nature walks which are guided by world renowned naturalists. There are also other nature excursions which can be chosen.

Earlier the beach was sparsely populated and did not have majority of the facilities which it has at present. It being located in a secluded place was not visited by the tourists or in many cases by even the locals. This was due to the fact that many locals were also unaware about the beauty of the place.

The beach at Datai Bay was exclusive to the two resorts which were there. The beauty of the place at first was raw and undetermined in true sense. The sunset of the Datai Bay is extremely beautiful. The beauty of the bay was uninterrupted in the beginning and was possible to be viewed better in the beginning. In the recent times there have been many resorts which have been included in the Datai Bay beach and because of this the beach has been a bit populated and the existent calmness and serenity of the place has somewhat been reduced. At present the situation is more or less better with respect to the facilities it provides for the people who visit the place. The beauty of the place has been enhanced in many of the resorts and in certain cases it has been kept as it it for viewing by the people.

Conclusion:

Malaysia regards tourism as a very important sector with respect to the new jobs, businesses as well as in case of the collection of revenue. There is an enormous amount of political, social as well as an economic impact on a particular tourist destination. The impact of tourism in a country impacts all the sectors of an economy as the benefits from these sectors can be utilized for sustaining the development practices of the country which is the host of all the tourists. It is important in Malaysia as it is responsible for increasing the national income. The increasing number of tourists in a particular place is responsible for increasing the economic value. It is also responsible for the stability of economic value and it is also responsible for improving the social life of Malaysia. Over the years, tourism is beneficial mostly rather than harmful. The nation which is hosting the tourists needs to control the tourism activities properly so that the negative impact of tourism does not affect the revenue of the country in any way.

The concept of tourism also helps to promote Malaysia to the rest of the World. It is basically a peaceful country and is also absolutely free from natural disaster namely earthquake volcano, flood, water spouts and so on. People who come to visit Malaysia learn about different types of tourism in Malaysia including different sorts of festivals as well. The tourism industry also is involved in activities which assist in asking tourists to come again to visit different spots of Malaysia.

Perceiving the impact of tourism on the GDP, the government of Malaysia had acknowledged the potential of the tourism sector as a major source of revenue and also a catalyst for the Economic renaissance of Malaysia. In order to promote tourism in the country the two government agencies have been established.

References:

Irwana Omar, S., Ghapar Othman, A. and Mohamed, B., 2014. The tourism life cycle: an overview of Langkawi Island, Malaysia. International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, 8(3), pp.272-289.

langkawi-info.com. 2017. Datai Bay – Everything You Need to Know About Datai Langkawi. [online] Available at: https://www.langkawi-info.com/datai-bay/ [Accessed 21 Oct. 2017].

Othman, P. and Rosli, M.M., 2011. The impact of tourism on small business performance: Empirical evidence from Malaysian islands. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 2(1).

Salehudin, M.S., Prasad, D.K., Osmond, P.W. and Khamis, M.T., 2012. Sustainable resort development: Malaysian case studies.

Samat, N., 2010. Assessing land use land cover changes in Langkawi island: Towards sustainable urban living. Malaysian Journal of Environmental Management, 11(1), pp.48-57.

The Datai Langkawi. 2017. About the Datai Langkawi. [online] Available at: https://www.thedatai.com/about-the-datai/ [Accessed 21 Oct. 2017].

Tripadvisor.in. 2017. Access to the beach at Datai Bay – Langkawi Forum – TripAdvisor. [online] Available at: https://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowTopic-g298283-i8829-k3026481-Access_to_the_beach_at_Datai_Bay-Langkawi_Langkawi_District_Kedah.html [Accessed 21 Oct. 2017].