PENANG has cranked up efforts to promote its tourism through a familiarisation tour for outbound tour operators from the Klang Valley recently.
The four-day three-night tour was intended to give an insight of the tourism products as well as bring to attention the special packages for the visitors.
The itinerary of the tour covered some of the tourism areas in Penang, such as George Town, Batu Ferringhi, Teluk Bahang and Balik Pulau.
The tour was also joined by three media personnel from Klang Valley.
State Tourism Development, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin reaffirmed that local destinations could be as competitive as international destinations.
“Many tour operators might not be geared towards promoting domestic destinations but instead focus on international tourism. This familiarisation trip intends to change that perception,” said Yeoh during a town hall session of the familiarisation tour with outbound tour operators from Klang Valley at Cititel Hotel today.
“Klang Valley has considerable potential. And this is one of the strategies to put Penang as an ‘international destination’ which is on par with other international destinations such as Hatyai, Bangkok, Medan, Jakarta, Phuket, Bali and so on,’’ said Yeoh.
Penang is the first state to host such group operators. We hope that this visit will give you all a clearer picture on our tourism products.
“Following the recent Penang Tourism Economy Recovery Advisory Board (PETERAB), this was one of the approaches discussed to tap into existing markets.
“I would like to thank the International Affairs of Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) head task force Datuk Hamzah Rahmat for coordinating the trip together with Penang Global Tourism (PGT) to revive Penang tourism,’’ added Yeoh.
Meanwhile, Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) chief executive officer Ashwin Gunasekeran said Penang’s convention and exhibition activities have received good feedback for the next two years.
“The meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) events for this year have been postponed to next year, whereby out of 50 events 45 have been confirmed.
“SPICE International Convention and Exhibition Centre have received 85 per cent of bookings on the MICE events for the year 2021 and 70 per cent for the following year (2022).
“We have also recently received good news that the hotel industry in Penang has begun to receive reservations for conferences from private companies and associations. Thus, we are being optimistic in restoring Penang’s tourism economy,’’ said Ashwin.
Ashwin added that domestic conferences and exhibitions are expected to resume in September this year and would be conducted in a hybrid manner, which is virtual and physical.
Also present was Penang Global Tourism CEO Ooi Chok Yan.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Alissala Thian