LANGKAWI: Planning to attend Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (Lima ’25)?
Be careful not to fall for too-good-to-be-true deals circulating on social media or ticket outs.
Local businesses are warning visitors against booking with unlicensed operators or buying from ticket touts.
“My advice is to strictly use licensed travel agents, registered car rental companies, and well-established hotels.
“Don’t be easily taken in by cheap offers on social media – most of them are scams. Always verify the company’s background,” said Datuk Alexander Isaac, adviser to the Langkawi Business Association.
He warned that many scammers are targeting unsuspecting visitors and taking advantage of the surge in demand between 20 and 25 May, with hotels and car rental services already fully booked.
“We’ve heard of cases where visitors were scammed during previous editions of Lima. Unfortunately, we can’t assist them because they have already made full payments to bogus operators.
“These scammers are not from Langkawi. They’re now actively promoting fake packages on various social media platforms,” he told the New Straits Times.
Langkawi Car Rental Association chairman Rosli Ahmad shared similar concerns.
“These scammers operate from outside Langkawi, offering fake car rental services. As for our 60 legitimate members, we’ve stopped taking bookings – we’re fully booked.
“There have been cases where visitors paid up to RM1,000 or RM2,000 for car rentals in advance.
“They only realised they had been scammed upon arriving at the ferry terminal, when the supposed rental agents failed to show up,” he said.
Rosli advised visitors to be cautious about cheap accommodation and car rental packages being offered during the Lima period.
“These fraudsters are actively promoting fake deals on TikTok, Facebook, and other platforms.”
He also warned against dealing with touts operating at the Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis ferry terminals.
“Always deal directly with authorised staff at official counters. Don’t fall for touts making dubious offers,” he said.
Rosli expressed concern that such scams were damaging Langkawi’s tourism reputation.
“These scammers are even giving out contact numbers of supposed ‘local agents’ who don’t exist in Langkawi.
“Only deal with legitimate operators or individuals you know and trust,” he added.
In response, Langkawi police chief Assistant Commissioner Shariman Ashari urged the public to exercise caution when dealing with agents.
“Visitors are advised to be vigilant when making bookings, particularly for car rentals, hotels, homestays, tour packages, and beach activities through agents, to avoid becoming victims of scams by irresponsible or fictitious parties claiming to operate in Langkawi,” he said.
Shariman also encouraged those attending the Lima exhibition at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) to use e-hailing services.
“Drivers are advised to take the route in front of the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) and avoid the airport roundabout.
“Visitors should park in designated areas, where a shuttle service will be provided by the organisers.
“Available parking areas include the lot in front of Pulapol, the car park on Jalan Kuala Muda (opposite Bella Vista Express), and the car park in front of Langkawi International Airport,” he added.
For visitors attending the maritime segment of the exhibition, parking is available at Resorts World Hotel and along Jalan Teluk Baru.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
