GEORGE TOWN: It’s time to be merry, and there’s no better place to kick-start the Christmas celebration than in Penang.
With the weather staying dry this time of the year, hotel bookings are coming in thick and fast, and all indications point to a promising end of the year for hoteliers during the December holiday break.
Hompton by the Beach Penang general manager Suffian Phoong said the hotel has secured about 60% occupancy from Dec 20 to 31.
He said among the activities to be held at the hotel are a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and a party dubbed the “Sparkle & Celebrate White Night Countdown 2025”.
The Granite Luxury Hotel corporate communications manager Ng Su-Ann said weekend occupancy rates are up 80%.
“Our popular safari-themed family suite has also been booked for the entire month,” she said.
Malaysian Association of Hotels Penang chapter chairman Tony Goh said all hotels saw an average occupancy rate of 50%, with last-minute bookings expected for the festive period.
“Some hotels are running promotions with online travel agents,” he said. He, however, noted a shift in domestic travel trends, with locals increasingly steering away from Cuti-Cuti Malaysia since the lifting of Covid-19 travel restrictions.
“Many who once frequented domestic destinations are now opting for international travel.”
“With more direct flights connecting Penang to various destinations, we believe an increasing number of locals are choosing to go abroad during long holiday breaks,” Goh said.
This year’s Christmas festivities will begin early with the Penang State Christmas Celebration 2024, which will take place today at Padang Dataran Pemuda Merdeka in Butterworth.
Themed Tidings of Great Joy, the event is organised by Penang Global Tourism to celebrate unity, hope and love within our diverse community.
