Tak Kenal Maka Tak Cinta is our ongoing tourism-themed series on Earth Matters, which aims to highlight lesser-known ecotourism spots right here in Malaysia. Done in collaboration with the Ecotourism & Conservation Society Malaysia (ECOMY), we want to take you back to the great outdoors, and experience the many off-the-beaten-track nature spots our country has to offer. This month, we're going to Langkawi, a UNESCO Global Geopark - OK, not exactly an unknown gem, but Langkawi has been in the news a lot lately, with reports pointing to declining visitors to the Jewel of Kedah for various reasons. Many tourism players have bemoaned the negative publicity, and would like to remind Malaysians that the island has plenty to offer aside from duty free goods, including some amazing ecotourism adventures. From its amazing Famous Flying Five and 500+ species of butterflies to the beautiful Gunung Raya, the archipelago is a naturalist's delight, and we explore what nature lovers can find there with Andrew Sebastian, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of ECOMY.

Listen to our previous episodes in the series:

Episode 1: Kuala Tahan

Episode 2: Pulau Bangau in Teluk Intan

Episode 3: Bukit Batu Putih in Port Dickson

Episode 4: The Sultan Iskandar Marine Park & More

Episode 5: Merapoh

Episode 6: Bukit Wang, Kedah

Episode 7: Kinabatangan River

Episode 8: Kundasang

Image Credit: Shutterstock/YusoffJalil

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.