GEORGE TOWN: As winter takes hold in Poland, travellers are heading thousands of miles south to swap the cold for Penang’s tropical sunshine.
To meet this demand, 19 charter flights will operate throughout the season, bringing up to 300 passengers per flight.
The weekly service will depart Warsaw Chopin Airport every Thursday and arrive at the Penang International Airport. It is scheduled to begin on Nov 5 and run until March 25 next year.
Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the state government is working with a travel agency to establish the first Warsaw-Penang winter charter service.
“The tourism products we offer comprise seven- or 14-day stays, combining city exploration with a beach holiday. The travel agency has developed eight tourism packages, from which travellers can select any two for a more in-depth Penang experience.
“The programmes will be led by Penang tour guides, giving visitors a deeper understanding of the state’s culture, history, natural attractions and way of life,” he said in a statement.
Visitors could spend a week exploring the city’s distinctive attractions and cultural heritage, followed by another week at the beach, where they can unwind and enjoy the sunshine, beaches and the island’s laid-back atmosphere, he added.
“The packages strike a balance between immersive travel and leisure, positioning Penang as an attractive winter escape for Polish travellers,” he said.
Wong said the winter charter flights were a practical way to connect Penang with long-haul markets by responding to seasonal travel demand.
“The Warsaw-Penang winter charter is a starting point and represents a positive exploration by Penang’s tourism industry to further develop long-haul markets in Europe.
“Against the backdrop of intensifying competition in the regional tourism landscape, expanding into new and long-haul source markets while further diversifying our international visitor base is important.
“We hope a series of targeted charter routes will bring in international markets that were previously geographically distant from Penang,” he said.
