PENANG is targeting Chinese travellers beyond cities with direct flights by leveraging major aviation hubs such as Shanghai to boost tourist arrivals.
Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the strategy would allow Penang to tap into neighbouring cities, including Hangzhou, which is well connected to Shanghai by high-speed rail and domestic flights.
“Our strategy is not merely to attract tourists from gateway cities.
“More importantly, we want to leverage the spillover effect of aviation hubs to unlock vast visitor markets in neighbouring regions,” he said after meeting a delegation from the Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Film, Television and Tourism.
Wong said Penang currently has 10 direct flights a week from Shanghai, operated by Juneyao Airlines and Shanghai Airlines.
Travellers from Hangzhou, he said, could easily transit through Shanghai before taking a direct flight to Penang.
“Visitors from cities with direct flights to Penang are certainly valuable, but we must not overlook the tourism potential of surrounding cities,” he said.
Wong said Penang had expanded its network of direct flights to China in recent years, covering Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Xiamen, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing and Qingdao, as well as charter flights from Kunming and Guiyang.
The meeting with the Hangzhou delegation, he said, also explored deeper cooperation in tourism promotion.
“These air links have laid a solid foundation for cultural, tourism and economic exchanges between Penang and China.
“Penang’s multicultural heritage and renowned food scene complement Hangzhou’s rich cultural heritage and scenic attractions.
“Both sides agreed that there is strong potential for closer tourism exchanges and joint promotion,” he said.
