THE recent recognition of Penang by prestigious international media outlets CNN Travel and The New York Times has given a timely boost to the state’s tourism promotion efforts, says Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai.
CNN Travel has named Penang among the top 21 destinations worldwide to visit, while The New York Times listed the state among its 52 places to visit in 2026.
Speaking to Buletin Mutiara, Wong said the dual recognition was both timely and highly significant, as it came at the very start of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign.
“This international-level recognition is by no means a stroke of luck. It is the result of years of sustained efforts by the Penang state government in tourism development, cultural preservation and community engagement — a truly well-earned and widely anticipated achievement,” he said.
According to Wong, endorsements from such influential global media platforms are immensely beneficial to Penang’s tourism industry, particularly in strengthening the state’s reach into European and American markets.
“It will effectively increase Penang’s visibility and credibility among these audiences, encouraging more long-haul travellers to prioritise Penang in their travel planning,” he added.
He noted that travellers from Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand generally stay longer, spend more and place a higher value on cultural depth and authentic local experiences — qualities that align well with Penang’s tourism positioning centred on cultural heritage, diverse lifestyles and the creative economy.
Beyond the Unesco World Heritage Site in George Town and the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve, Wong said attractions such as Northern Malaysia’s first Automotive Gallery on Macalister Road and the recently opened Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery allow Western visitors to experience the city through the lens of art and culture.
Other upcoming attractions include the Guar Kepah Archaeological Gallery and the Penang State Museum at Farquhar Street, which is scheduled to complete its renovation later this year.
While Penang expects tourist arrivals from Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand to increase, Wong anticipates continued strong growth from Asian markets, particularly Indonesia.
“Indonesia has long been one of Penang’s most important and stable international visitor markets. From January to November 2025, Penang International Airport welcomed 340,274 Indonesian travellers via international direct flights — far surpassing the second-ranked market, China, with 193,215 visitors,” he said.
He added that Indonesia’s geographical proximity to Penang, coupled with frequent direct flights from major cities such as Medan, Jakarta, Banda Aceh and Surabaya, makes travel highly convenient.
The state government, Wong said, has steadily cultivated the Indonesian market through roadshows and industry engagement, gradually positioning Penang as a top-of-mind destination for Indonesian travellers.
“More importantly, Indonesia is also a key market for Penang’s medical tourism. Currently, about 90% of medical tourists to Penang come from Indonesia.
“With 2026 designated as both Visit Malaysia Year and the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT 2026), tourism and medical travel will advance in parallel and reinforce each other, further strengthening the importance of the Indonesian market,” he said.
On infrastructure, Wong said the state government is systematically advancing several major projects, including the Penang LRT, the expansion of Penang International Airport, and the Ayer Itam–Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway Bypass.
“These are not short-term measures, but part of a long-term strategic plan to enhance accessibility, ease traffic congestion and lay a solid foundation for Penang’s development and tourism capacity over the coming decades,” he said.
Wong also noted the opening of multiple new hotels across Penang Island and Seberang Perai in recent years, including international chain hotels, boutique properties and restored heritage buildings.
“This diverse accommodation range not only increases room supply, but also caters to travellers with varying needs — from budget-conscious backpackers to high-end tourists seeking quality, experiential stays — reflecting the inclusivity and maturity of Penang’s tourism offerings,” he said.
In the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, the recently opened Penang Waterfront Convention Centre has significantly enhanced the state’s ability to host large-scale conferences, exhibitions and international events, further strengthening Penang’s competitiveness as a regional convention destination.
On safety, Wong said the state government has consistently prioritised the well-being of both visitors and residents.
“According to the ‘Safest Cities in the World’ ranking published by Ranking Royals last year, Penang scored 67 points and ranked 106th globally, making it the safest city in Malaysia and the safest state nationwide,” he said.
While visitor numbers, particularly in George Town’s heritage zone, have grown rapidly, Wong stressed the need to ensure that tourism growth does not come at the expense of service quality, environmental standards or community well-being.
To disperse visitor flows and extend tourism benefits statewide, the Office of the Penang State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy (Petace) has implemented strategies to activate non-traditional and off-island destinations.
“Through active promotion by Penang Global Tourism, we not only highlight Penang Island’s established attractions but also encourage visitors to explore emerging destinations in Seberang Perai.
“In 2025, in collaboration with Think City, we launched promotional materials showcasing Seberang Perai’s unique towns, communities and diverse tourism offerings,” he said.
In recent years, several major events have been relocated to or hosted in Seberang Perai to invigorate the area’s tourism appeal. These include the Penang Bridge International Marathon (moved to Batu Kawan from 2024), the Penang International Lion Dance on Stilts Competition, the Butterworth Fringe Festival, the Nibong Tebal Festival, the Seberang Perai Chingay Parade, and the Penang2030 Festival X Hari Warisan Seberang Perai 2025.
With Thaipusam and Chinese New Year approaching next month, Penang expects another influx of visitors.
“These activities and festivities are part of what makes Penang one of the world’s top destinations — a reputation now reinforced by CNN Travel and The New York Times,” Wong said.
“We are acutely aware of the importance of continuous improvement. This recognition serves as a driving force for the state government to further enhance tourism experiences, elevate service standards, enrich cultural offerings and ensure that tourism development goes hand in hand with community well-being and cultural sustainability.
“Only then can the temporary spotlight of international attention be transformed into long-lasting, sustainable momentum for Penang’s tourism industry,” he added.
Pix courtesy of Penang Global Tourism