PENANG has welcomed the Malaysia Inbound Chinese Association (Mica) to further promote domestic tourism in the state.
Penang Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said that the association’s FOLIDAY Campaign aimed at promoting Penang as the education and heritage destination of choice for interstate travellers and the Chinese market.
“The FOLIDAY Campaign is rather unique as it encompasses both short and long-term approaches to boost the local tourism.
“Through this campaign, local tourists can visit Penang now and enjoy the tour packages; while foreign travellers can experience Penang later when the international borders open.
“The campaign will be able to boost our domestic economy besides create job opportunities for the local community.
“I was informed that Mica is confident in attracting 500,000 domestic tourists to Penang from July to December this year,” Yeoh said in his speech before launching the FOLIDAY Campaign in Penang at St Giles The Wembley Hotel in Magazine Road today.
Mica president Datuk Dr Angie Ng said that the concept of FOLIDAY is for tourists to travel with their friends and family, have fun and enjoy lots of freebies.
“We have selected six states to launch our FOLIDAY Campaign, namely Terengganu (islands), Perak (retreat), Penang (education and heritage), Johor (MICE), Sarawak (Culture) and Sabah (Nature).
“Eighty of our members (comprising tour operators, tour managers, and product owners) visit Penang today (July 17) to network with the state’s tourism industry players and to launch this campaign,” she said.
Ng shared the association’s strategies in promoting Penang.
Among them were video live streaming and broadcasting, video shooting and sharing, as well as news write-ups and advertisements.
Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan presented several short videos that highlight the exciting places of interest in Penang.
“Penang has received over 50 accolades in the past 10 years.
“The state is known as the preferred destination for MICE, cruise, medical, education and wedding,” he said.
Among the tourism industry players who took part in the networking session were Penang Hill Corporation, The TOP Penang, The Habitat Penang Hill, Entopia, The Wembley and Cititel Express, G Hotel, M Summit 191 Executive Hotel Suites, Hotel Equatorial, Lexis Suites Penang and DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang.
Visit Mica’s official Facebook page for more details about Mica and its FOLIDAY Campaign.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Alvie Cheng