Pearl of the Orient loses shine as 866 cruises stop visits

Pier pressure: Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal at the north-eastern tip of Penang, bereft of cruise ships. — Pic courtesy of Se Vena Networks Sdn Bhd

GEORGE TOWN: The number of cruise ships which called on Penang this year dropped by 866 from last year raising concerns that Penang is losing its lustre as a destination for cruise line operators.

The sharp slump meant that Penang saw about 500,000 fewer cruise passengers than last year’s glowing record.