A SIMPLE love for stamp collecting has grown into a passion for promoting a new way of experiencing Penang, with stamp rally activities emerging as a creative tool to encourage visitors to explore the state’s heritage, culture and communities.
Janice Loh, the special officer to the state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, started collecting stamps in 2017. She believes that Penang has the potential to become one of Asia’s distinctive stamp tourism destinations.
Loh said her journey began when she attended a journaling workshop by local journaling artist Elsiewithlove.
“At that time, I simply wanted to learn more about journaling, but I never expected that day would completely change my interest.
“I realised that a small notebook is not just a place to write things down. It can record our daily lives, emotions, travels and every meaningful moment we want to remember,” she said in an interview with Buletin Mutiara.
Loh said stamps eventually became a meaningful way for her to preserve memories.
Although she could no longer recall where her first travel stamp came from, she said every completed stamp book held its own special value.
“Whenever I flip through the pages, every stamp brings me back to a specific moment, the weather that day, the people I travelled with, the streets I walked through to find the stamp or even the food I had along the way.
“To others, it may just be a stamp, but to me, it represents an entire memory,” she said.
Loh said her fascination with stamps may have started even earlier during her childhood, when teachers rewarded students with stamps on their school workbooks.
“Sometimes it was a ‘good’ stamp, sometimes a little flower or an animal design. That small feeling of achievement and happiness from receiving a stamp is something I still remember today,” she said.
She also recalled receiving stamps on attendance records during Sunday school session, where she learned traditional teachings including Di Zi Gui, The Analects of Confucius and the Three-Character Classic.
“Looking back now, I realise my love for stamps may have started from my childhood,” she said.
For Loh, stamp collecting is not merely about owning stamps, but about discovering places and stories along the way.
“Many people plan their trips by looking for famous attractions or places to take photos. My way of travelling is slightly different.
“I would first look at the map, find where the stamps are located and then explore the city according to the stamp route,” she said.
She pointed out searching for stamps had brought her to hidden alleys, heritage buildings, local shops and museums that she might otherwise have missed.
“My stamp book is truly one of a kind. No one else in the world will have the exact same stamp book as mine because it records my own footsteps, the places I explored, the people I met and the experiences I had,” she said.
Loh believes the biggest attraction of stamp rally is that each stamp is tied to a specific location and experience.
“It cannot be purchased online and it cannot be duplicated. You have to personally visit that location and physically stamp it yourself in order to own that memory,” she said.
She added that limited-edition stamps and special designs also create a sense of excitement among collectors.
Some stamp rally activities feature layering stamps, where participants must visit different stations to collect different parts of a design before completing the final image.
“This makes stamp collecting more than just a hobby. It becomes an exploration journey and a challenge,” she said.
Loh told Buletin Mutiara that she had personally travelled overseas alone specifically to participate in series of activities.
“Some people may think it is a little crazy, travelling just because of a stamp. But to me, it is not only about collecting stamps.
“It is also a form of ‘me time’ and a journey of rediscovering myself,” she said.
She said carrying a small backpack, holding a map and stamp book while exploring an unfamiliar city allowed her to slow down and enjoy the journey at her own pace.
“The process of searching for a stamp feels like a form of therapy for me.
“A single stamp can lead me to a hidden street, a small local shop, a conversation with residents or a new food discovery,” she said.
Loh said the activities introduced at Penang tourism events had shown strong potential in attracting visitors.
Among the events that incorporated stamp rally elements were the George Town Festival 2025, Penang International Dragon Boat Regatta 2025 and Yosakoi Parade 2026.
She said more local and overseas stamp hunters had travelled to Penang because of specific stamps, with some planning entire trips around collecting limited-edition designs.
“Some explore the entire city just to complete a route. Along the way, they discover more about Penang’s heritage, culture and people,” she said.
Loh said she was particularly impressed by the response to the George Town Heritage Celebration 2026 stamp rally, where she met participants from different states and overseas.
“Everyone carried their stamp books with excitement and joy. Although many of us had never met before, once we saw each other holding stamp books, conversations naturally started.
“We shared information about hidden stamps, recommended places to visit and exchanged tips on where to go next,” she said.
She noted the experience reinforced her belief that Penang was suitable for stamp tourism.
“Penang already has everything needed, rich heritage, delicious food, beautiful streets, cultural experiences and a walkable city environment.
“Through this, visitors can explore heritage buildings, discover local businesses, enjoy local food and uncover hidden stories while collecting stamps along the way,” she said.
Loh also highlighted the MyTQA Stamp Collection Journey introduced this year in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026.
Through the Penang Passport booklet, visitors can explore 10 locations across Penang island and the mainland while collecting specially designed stamps.
She said the initiative encouraged visitors to discover destinations beyond the usual tourist spots.
Loh said she was also encouraged to see more local businesses participating in stamp activities, including cafes, creative spaces and food outlets.
“It is no longer limited to tourist attractions. Many businesses have started creating their own unique stamps for visitors.
“When visitors come to Penang, they do not only enjoy our food and scenery, but they can also bring home a special memory that represents their Penang journey,” she said.
She added that stamp collecting had also created a warm community among enthusiasts, with collectors sharing information about upcoming events, new stamp releases and exchanging their own personalised stamps.
“Everyone shares the same passion. The most valuable thing is not the stamp exchange itself, but the friendship created because of a small stamp,” she said.
Loh encouraged those interested in starting the hobby to begin with a notebook they like and collect stamps during their travels.
“Do not worry about collecting many stamps at the beginning.
“Slowly, you will realise that your little notebook has started to fill with your own stories,” she said.
With the upcoming Penang Hill Festival 2026 stamp rally, Loh hopes more visitors will discover Penang through stamps.
“In the future, I hope Penang will not only be known as a food paradise and cultural city, but also become one of Asia’s most distinctive stamp tourism destinations.
“Every stamp is not just a stamp. It is a journey, a memory and a gift from a city to every traveller who takes the time to discover it,” she said.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alissala Thian and courtesy of Janice Loh