Kedah set a new target of seven million tourists arriving in the state during the Malaysian Visit Malaysia VM2020 celebration.

Kedah Tourism Exco Mohd Asmirul Anuar Aris said that out of that, four million tourists are expected to visit Langkawi's most famous island.

He said the rest would be expected to reach the mainland although the state government had not previously set any target for tourist arrivals to the area.

"However, we are positive that the mainland also has a variety of tourist destinations that can attract foreign tourists," he said when welcoming international tourists to the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex (ICQS) here recently.

According to him, the government agency's cooperation with the tourism-related party could boost the state's tourism activities by organizing more than 20 international programs including Le Tour De Langkawi, the Royal Langkawi International Regatta and the International Kite Festival.

Asmirul said the one-year visa exemption for Chinese and Indian tourists beginning today also had a positive impact on the state's tourism sector.

"It is possible that a large number of tourists from both countries will visit Langkawi, but we will be ready to accept their arrival on the mainland," he said.