GEORGE TOWN: Any chance of Penang becoming a global tourism hub would require high hospitality standards and better legal compliance by all stakeholders, says Wong Hon Wai.
The chairman of the Penang tourism and creative economy committee said with more tourist arrivals recorded after the pandemic, it is crucial for hotels to maintain quality and guest protection while upholding fair business practices.
“Now, business tourism is also a key pillar of Penang’s tourism sector, driving visitors’ inflow.
“This year, we are preparing to host three major conferences, each expecting over 8,000 participants,” he added.
Wong said new hotels are constantly being opened in Penang, especially to cater to business leaders, and this calls for stricter compliance.
“The local council needs to step up enforcement as existing laws regulate hotel licensing.
“If there are any grey areas in the law, amendments should be made to safeguard the interests of licensed hotels,” he said.
To build a strong foundation for tourism, Wong hopes that hotels would ensure travellers’ confidence and provide the much-needed capacity during peak seasons.
He said since August 2023, Penang has introduced 12 new international direct flight routes, including eight to cities in China.
“This strategic expansion has yielded impressive results, and we anticipate further growth, especially after the RM1.5bil expansion of Penang International Airport is completed in 2028.
“In January 2024, 6,903 Chinese tourists arrived in Penang via international flights, a 431.4% increase from 1,299 visitors in Jan 2023. By January this year, the figure has surged to 19,574, representing a 183.6% year-on-year increase and an astounding 1,406.9% growth compared to 2023.
“When accounting for tourist arrivals via Kuala Lumpur on land routes, the actual numbers are even higher,” he said.
Wong added that as of January 2025, China has become Penang’s second-largest tourist source market, surpassing Singapore.
According to data from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, Penang International Airport surpassed Kota Kinabalu International Airport to become the country’s second busiest airport in 2024, after Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Wong said Penang has also successfully tapped into India’s vast tourism market.
“The number of Indian tourists arriving in Penang via international flights reached 1,730 in January 2025, compared to 881 in January 2024, marking a 96.4% hike. With this development, Penang needs to continue to solidify its position as a premier tourist destination with a focus on improving infrastructure, compliance and connectivity.”
