(From left) MATTA Penang chapter chairman Vergis Matthew, Ch'ng,eng, Shahrul, Yeoh, Ooi and Goh posing for a photograph after press conference at St Giles Wembly Hotel in Magazine Road.
PENANG is set to lift the state’s tourism to the next level through collaboration with other states such as Sabah, Melaka and Langkawi in Kedah.
State tourism and creative economy committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said although all the states had political differences, they had to work together to enhance tourism with the opening of the country’s borders.
“In line with the initiative, we visited Sabah recently, and are planning to visit Langkawi soon on the invitation of the Langkawi Development Authority,” said Yeoh at the launch of the “Welcome to Penang” campaign at St Giles Wembly Hotel in Penang.
Yeoh said with the easing of travel restrictions, more visitors were expected to visit the state.
“We will leverage on this with global advertising campaigns.
“Another recent addition is Penang Hill, which is recognised by the Unesco world body as a biosphere reserve that boasts of a 130 million-year-old virgin forest,” he said.
Yeoh said the state was also promoting balanced tourism in Balik Pulau, Teluk Bahang, Seberang Prai and Bukit Mertajam, especially on agro and eco-tourism.
He also highlighted the launch of the “Muslim Travel Guide” booklet to help tourists from Middle Eastern countries fulfil their needs for food and lifestyle.
Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan, in his introductory speech earlier, outlined the upcoming promotion materials on the traditional and online channels to those present at the event.
He said the Penang International Airport was seeing more direct flights from Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
Also present at the event were Tourism Malaysia northern region director Shahrul Aman, Malaysia Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang Chapter chairman Tony Goh, MAH national vice-president Khoo Boo Lim and Association of Tourism Attractions chairman Ch’ng Huck Theng.
