**4.5 Partnership programmes**

Partnerships between government agencies, non-governmental agencies, private companies, and local residents can become a tool for the integration and facilitation of tourism develop‐ ment and sustainability. Based on the findings, partnerships such as public–private partner‐ ship (PandP), public–public partnership, community-NGO partnership, and private-NGO partnership have been able to bring the various parties together to address challenges and provide solutions on tourism impacts. Referring to the theme of 'Enabler' in the Langkawi Blueprint, one of the initiatives realised was the Langkawi Tourism Academy formed via a public and private collaboration (PandP) with Taylor's College. The purpose is to initiate a new curriculum by adapting Taylor's hospitality courses into LTA tourism courses. The directory officer (respondent 3) remarked that '*as we know, Taylor's College offers the best hospitality courses in Malaysia; they play their role as academic advisor by monitoring syllabus and sharing their knowledge and technologies*'*.*

Taylor's College has also formed partnerships with a total of 75 four- to five-star hotels in Langkawi to allow students to participate in practical apprenticeship programs for skills training in their chosen field of work. '*Through the apprenticeship program, students will be the "anak angkat" of the hotels and they will be paid a monthly allowance*,' said respondent 3. Also, public and private partnership (PandP) was formed between LADA and Frangipani Resort to contribute to the tourism industry. Respondent 16 explained that '*we are currently building partnerships with LADA and more than 30 local schools to increase local awareness on environmental issues'.* Further, Sandy Beach Resort has an established partnership with LADA to organise the Water Festival event in Chenang Beach, the main purpose of which is '*to have more interaction with the tourists through water sports activities and to enhance our reputation*' (respondent 19). In 2012, the UWL signed a Memorandum of Understanding with two Malaysian universities,
