Penang waits with open arms

Boost for tourism: Yeoh (seated middle) with (from left) Mohd Nadzim, Ooi, Jonathan, Shahrul and tourism stakeholders after the press meet.

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang International Airport (PIA) will be buzzing with activity from today when the first two groups of passengers arrive from Singapore via the air Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL-Air).

Koperasi Pemandu Limo Lapangan Terbang Pulau Pinang Terbang Bhd (Koplimo) chairman Noor Ashikin Amman said the launch of the VTL-Air was timely as it could boost their members’ livelihood which had been badly impacted by the pandemic.

“It will definitely increase the volume of passengers to the state and our members will have the opportunity to get more rides,” he said yesterday.

Noor Ashikin said the VTL-Air would also help in the economic growth of the state and benefit the surrounding community.

“Before the pandemic, we had about 300 limousine drivers at the PIA, but now, the number has been reduced to only 100 drivers.”

Penang Tourist Guides Association (PTGA) president PC Chin said the establishment of the VTL-Air between Penang and Singapore could help drive the tourism industry forward.

“Singapore is our biggest market with about 70% of tourists visiting Penang in the past. So, this move will definitely help revive our badly hit tourism sector,” she said.

Meanwhile, the first group of passengers on AirAsia’s AK1730 flight will arrive at 1.15pm today followed by Singapore Airlines SQ0138 at 7pm.

The arrivals are expected to provide a significant boost to Penang’s tourism economy, said Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin.

“The VTL scheme plays a pivotal role prior to the full resumption of international tourism as it will serve as a benchmark for future international travel activities.

“We will keep an open channel of communication with airline representatives as well as the airport staff members to ensure a seamless launch of the VTL,” he said during a press conference at Malaysia Hotel yesterday.

Penang Global Tourism (PGT) chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan said in a move to ensure sustainability of Penang’s travel industry, the state launched the Penang Responsible Tourism campaign and the Covid-19 Safety Accreditation Programme last year.

“The campaign is to remind all to stay compliant with the standard operating procedure (SOP).

“It also educates all stakeholders on their respective roles in making sure that tourism activities are conducted in an orderly and responsible manner.

“The programme also emphasises the importance of safety and hygiene — two important elements to instil confidence in travellers in the long term.

“At present, 65 of Penang’s tourism industry players from hotels, attractions and shopping malls have been granted the certification.

“So far, about 300 trishaw riders and taxi drivers have been vaccinated,” he said.

Also present at the press conference were Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Penang director Jonathan Freddy Bagang, Tourism Malaysia (northern) director Shahrul Aman Sabir Ahmad and Penang International Airport senior airport manager Mohd Nadzim Hashim.

The VTL-Air initiative would allow fully vaccinated travellers between the two destinations to arrive without being required to undergo mandatory quarantine.

First initiated between the Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) route on Nov 29 last year, it has served 82,906 passengers arriving from Singapore as of Feb 28.