THE participation of some 1,000 delegates, including about 700 from China, at a recent conference in Penang highlights the growing importance of the state’s expanding direct flight connectivity with Chinese cities.
State executive councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy Wong Hon Wai said the encouraging turnout at the four-day “TGH 1st Quarter Review Conference”, held from April 9 to 12 at the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre, reflects the success of ongoing efforts to strengthen engagement with the Chinese market.
He noted that Penang’s direct aviation links with China have expanded significantly since August 2023, when only Guangzhou and Hong Kong were connected to the state. Today, the network covers eight major cities — Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Xiamen, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Qingdao and Chongqing — alongside additional chartered routes.
“In terms of city coverage, the network has expanded more than fourfold compared to the beginning of my tenure, demonstrating tangible breakthroughs in Penang’s efforts to capture the China market,” he said.
Wong, who attended the conference organised by EOSTRE Sdn Bhd, also congratulated the organiser for successfully hosting the event in Penang and thanked the company for selecting the state as its venue.
He described the choice of Penang as a strong endorsement of its business event infrastructure and a reflection of its growing appeal in the regional meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) tourism sector.
“The economic impact generated by large-scale conferences should not be underestimated. The influx of international delegates will benefit sectors such as transportation, accommodation, air travel, and food and beverage, creating a strong multiplier effect across the local economy,” he said.
Wong added that Penang has continuously enhanced its MICE infrastructure in recent years, with venues such as the Setia SPICE Convention Centre, Penang Waterfront Convention Centre and Butterworth Convention Centre, supported by hotel ballrooms and other flexible spaces.
He said this diversified ecosystem enables the state to host events of varying scales while strengthening its competitiveness as a regional convention hub.
At the same time, Wong highlighted the steady growth in Penang’s hospitality sector, with the entry of international hotel brands and the opening of new developments, including boutique and heritage accommodations.
“These additions have expanded room capacity and improved service quality, providing stronger support for large-scale meetings and corporate events,” he said.
Looking ahead, Wong said Penang is well-positioned to capitalise on shifts in the global MICE landscape amid current geopolitical uncertainties.
“The state government, through the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau, will continue to proactively attract high-quality international conferences and exhibitions, further strengthening Penang’s position as a leading regional MICE destination,” he added.
Pix courtesy of Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Office (Petace)