THE tourism sector in the Air Itam state constituency is currently undergoing a remarkable transformation, evolving from merely a stopover destination into one of Penang’s leading heritage and eco-tourism hubs.
While debating the motion of thanks to the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Penang Tuan Yang Terutama Tun Ramli Ngah Talib’s address at the Penang State Legislative Assembly sitting today, Joseph Ng Soon Siang (PH-Air Itam) said that through new initiatives such as the Air Itam Heritage Walk, launched as a pilot programme in September 2025, the area has successfully revived the rich stories and heritage of the local community.
“This initiative allows tourists to immerse themselves directly in the unique culture and history of Air Itam at the very sites where these stories originated.
“Efforts to preserve this identity are further strengthened through plans to gazette Kampung Melayu Lama Air Itam as the first Malay heritage village in Penang, encompassing the conservation of historical landmarks such as the tomb and Rumah Suluk of Sheikh Omar Basheer.
“I am also proud to share that the programme has attracted the interest of the Consul-General of Japan in Penang, Shinya Machida, and the Thai Consul-General in Penang, Khun Psusist Wongsurawat, both of whom recently participated in the Air Itam Heritage Walk,” he said.
According to Ng, these positive developments complement the vision of ‘The Seven Tourism Wonders of Air Itam’, which features iconic attractions such as Kek Lok Si Temple, Air Itam Dam, as well as internationally recognised gastronomic offerings, including Michelin-recognised cuisine.
“At the same time, Penang Hill, which stands as one of our proudest landmarks, continues to record extraordinary achievements.
“In the first quarter of 2025 alone, visitor arrivals surged to 426,308 people, a positive increase that surpassed pre-pandemic records for the same period.
“The growing number of tourists using the funicular train reflects continued confidence in the appeal of our eco-tourism sector.
“To accommodate the increasing number of visitors and further boost the industry, the Penang government is also closely monitoring the Penang Hill cable car project, which is set to become another world-class attraction.
“Through the strategic synergy between grassroots heritage preservation and the modernisation of tourism infrastructure, I am confident that we will continue to drive local economic growth, create more business opportunities, and ensure Penang remains firmly positioned on the global tourism map,” he added.
On a separate matter, while touching on the Penang State Sports Council’s (MSNPP) decision not to send the state men’s football team to the 2026 Malaysia Games (Sukma), Ng stressed that MSNPP must proactively work with the Football Association of Penang (FAP) and Penang FC to formulate a long-term solution to revamp the state’s grassroots football development system so that Penang’s footballing dignity can be restored and such an embarrassing episode will not recur.
“I would also like to urge the responsible state executive council member to openly explain the actual circumstances that led to this situation in this year’s Sukma competition,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal