Traders in Langkawi are a happy lot as there are customers aplenty

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LOCAL traders have reported brisk business since the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2011 (Lima) kicked off on Tuesday.

One enterprising lad even came up with creative names for his drinks — ‘Air Force Watermelon’, ‘Sukhoi Grape’ and ‘MIG Orange’ — labelled after his favourite craft.

Student Ahmad Nadzirin Yahaya, from Sik, said he made the posters for his drinks using the names of the planes he loved most.

Roaring trade: Numerous stalls have mushroomed outside the perimeters of the Langkawi airport and Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre

“I love planes, so I’ve been coming for the last three Lima,” said Nadzirin, who travelled from the mainland to watch the show and earn some cash.

The 20-year-old declared that his drinks stall could rake in about RM400 by the time the exhibition was over.

“Best of all, I can enjoy watching the planes in action while working,” said Nadzirin, who is studying to be a medical assistant.

Early birds: Locals watching the airshow from outside the airfield in Langkawi before the event is open to the public

Internet cafe owner Zubir Samat, 48, said his shop at Padang Mat Sirat was busiest in the afternoons — after the 11.30am air show.

“With the popularity of social networking sites, everybody wants to post up photos of them posing with the aircraft and warships.

“It’s a chance of a lifetime to get up close and personal with the state-of-the-art aircraft and vessels so the tourists especially, want to upload the pictures online immediately and share it with their friends on Facebook,” he said, adding his business had doubled in the last few days.

Vantage viewpoint: The crowd at Bukit Pemandangan Indah in Langkawi taking in the aerial display

Almost every night, diners were spotted patiently waiting for seats at the popular Orkid Ria Seafood Restaurant on Pantai Cenang.

Proprieter Loh Ah Min, 61, said customers would increase by “at least 20%” every time Lima came to town.

“We have served ministers, foreign dignitaries and international exhibitors and most are repeat diners.

Yummy delight: Visitors picking their fish cake wrapped in banana leaves being sold at the LIMA 2011 Tourism Carnival which is being held at the parking lot of Lada in Kuah, Langkawi

“The shops along this tourist belt all benefit because the participants will definitely spend money shopping and eating when they are here,” he said, sounding pleased.

He said as the restaurant sourced all its seafood locally, the fishing community also make good business.

“The vegetable sellers and fruit sellers all do well when my business is good,” he said.

Jom Ikan Bakar owner Mazlina Ghazi, 35, echoed similar sentiments.

Probably the most famous ikan bakar shop on the island, the outlet near the aerospace exhibition hall is busy from as early as 10am.

On normal weekdays, the shop which also serves rice and dishes, serves up an average of 100kg of seafood but during Lima, the buckets of fish and squid is as heavy as 300kg.

“We are busy until 3pm, serving about 1,000 customers daily during Lima. That’s double our usual crowd.

“The foreigners often compliment us on our local dishes,” she said.

Outside the airfield, makeshift stalls and umbrella stands decorated with ‘Angry Bird’ balloons line the village backroads as aerospace enthusiasts wait to watch the air show.

Ever popular: Mazlina (left) serving her famous ikan bakar to customers at her Jom Ikan Bakar shop in Padang Mat Sirat in Langkawi

Many traders felt that more such events were needed to boost the local economy.

“If possible, I’d love to see an event monthly to attract visitors here,” Mazlina said.

Zubir suggested that more supporting events be held in conjunction with Lima.

“For instance, the Tourism Carnival featuring food stalls, live performances and tourism booths is good.

“Perhaps we can also have a seaside carnival so that the Lima participants and visitors will have more to do here,” he said.

On Tuesday when launching the Lima Tourism Carnival in Kuah, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the locals should take advantage of business opportunities created by international events organised by the federal government to improve their standard of living.

He said thanks to events Lima, locals in Langkawi have prospered.