PETALING JAYA: Penang should strengthen its port facilities and services, introduce new international cruise routes and intensify cooperation between port operators and the tourism industry to boost its competitiveness as a cruise destination, says Penang Port Commission chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin.
He said the three-pronged approach, known as the 3I Strategy, would help translate growing cruise arrivals into greater economic benefits for local businesses and communities.
Yeoh, who is also Tourism Malaysia deputy chairman, said this was particularly important as international cruise calls created opportunities for various sectors, including food and beverage, retail, transport, tour guiding and tourism services.
He was speaking at the welcoming ceremony for the maiden call of Navigator of the Seas at Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT).
The vessel carried 3,887 international passengers and 1,200 crew members, bringing the total number of people on board to 5,087.
The event was jointly organised by Tourism Malaysia, the Penang Port Commission and Penang Port Sdn Bhd.
Yeoh welcomed the visitors personally despite an injury to his right leg that limited his mobility.
Under the first priority, Yeoh said port facilities, passenger circulation areas, transport connections and signage should be continuously improved to enhance handling capacity and passenger experience.
He said coordination between port operators and relevant authorities was also important to streamline embarkation, disembarkation and clearance procedures, particularly during periods of concentrated cruise arrivals.
On the second priority, he said engagement with international cruise lines and regional tourism operators should be strengthened through joint promotions and business networking to encourage more companies to include Penang in their regular itineraries.
Opportunities to extend port stays should also be explored to give passengers more time for sightseeing and spending.
The third priority involves closer collaboration between the port and tourism industry to develop shore excursions featuring George Town's cultural heritage, local cuisine, traditional crafts and community experiences.
Yeoh said sharing cruise arrival information more effectively with industry players would allow businesses and service providers to prepare in advance, while multilingual tourism information could make it easier for visitors to explore the state.
He added that such efforts would create more opportunities for local small and medium enterprises to participate in the cruise tourism economy.
SPCT recorded 569,173 passenger movements from January to September this year, compared with 374,171 during the corresponding period in 2025, an increase of 52.12%.
Yeoh said the growth provided a foundation for closer cooperation between the port and tourism sectors.
“Every cruise call is an opportunity for Penang to showcase its charm to the world. We welcome visitors from across the globe to explore George Town, savour local cuisine, admire historic buildings and experience our diverse cultures, turning a brief stopover into a reason to return to Penang,” he said.
