This research first aims to forecast tourist arrivals to Langkawi, Malaysia from its top three source markets, namely, China, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom, between 2020 and 2022. Using the annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth of those three countries, the study seeks to investigate the impact of GDP on tourist arrivals from these countries to Langkawi in the context of post-COVID-19 scenarios. The study uses expert modelers, namely, ARIMA models and Holt’s linear models, to find the best fit model. Then, linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the impact of GDP on tourist arrivals in Langkawi from the said three countries. The results from the Holt linear model predicted a significant increase in the number of tourist arrivals from China and Saudi Arabia from 2020–2022. In contrast, the number of forecasted tourist arrivals from the United Kingdom would be on a decreasing trend from 2020–2022. It is also predicted that GDP growth will influence the tourist arrival trends from China and Saudi Arabia, but not for UK tourists. In other words, a speedy rate of recovery in the number of tourists from the UK to Langkawi is forecasted for once international travel restrictions are lifted, as the world eases into the post-pandemic period.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict, which began in February 2022, has significantly impacted global commodity markets, particularly the Malaysian palm oil industry. This study examines the effects of the conflict on key market indicators—price, production quantity, oil extraction rate, and exports—while also analyzing the role of public sentiment in shaping market dynamics. Using data from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and online engagement metrics, a composite sentiment index was developed through Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The findings indicate that palm oil prices spiked sharply following the conflict due to supply chain disruptions and speculative trading, while production and extraction rates remained stable. Exports showed increased volatility, reflecting trade realignments and policy interventions. Public sentiment shifted from a fragmented geopolitical discourse to an economically driven narrative, strongly correlating with price fluctuations and concerns over supply chain stability. This study highlights the growing importance of sentiment analysis in understanding market behavior and provides insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders to mitigate the effects of geopolitical crises on the palm oil sector.