EFFORTS will be made to draw local tourists to Penang post Covid-19, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
He admitted that the tourism industry was the hardest hit in the state since the movement control order (MCO) began on March 18.
“We need to restore confidence among the stakeholders like hoteliers and local tourists,” Chow said during a post Covid-19 discourse organised by Quo Vadis, Anak Muda Malaysia, with national DAPSY chairman Howard Lee, as the moderator on May 14.
“We want to focus on the domestic market in our recovery process. We want to make Penang a destination for them.”
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and the then Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir were the other two state leaders who took part in the discussion that was held over StreamYard and broadcasted to the Pakatan Harapan, DAP Malaysia and DAPSY FB live. It was also shared live on Chow’s FB page.
The trio shared their feelings, their respective states’ action plans and their achievements in combatting the Covid-19 crisis.
Known for its street food, varied cultures and beaches, Penang saw its tourism, like others in the world, paralyse by the coronavirus.
The state government, besides setting aside allocation, has held virtual meetings with stakeholders to get feedback and ideas on how to revive the tourism industry.
For Kedah, Mukhriz said the state’s tourism too was very badly hit by the pandemic.
“The tourism, for instance, in Langkawi is in very bad shape. This is one of the challenges we have to face,” said Mukhriz.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Law Suun Ting