THREE hotels and a convention centre in Penang have been nominated for the Asian Tourism & Hospitality Awards 2025–26, representing Malaysia in several international categories.
Among those shortlisted are Citadines Connect Bertam Georgetown Penang, Iconic Marjorie Penang, and PICCA Convention Centre @ Butterworth Arena.
Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the nominations reflect the steady growth and international competitiveness of Penang’s tourism industry.
He said the shortlisted institutions are located in different districts, including the northeast and southwest districts on the island as well as Seberang Perai, showing that tourism development is expanding beyond traditional areas.
“In the past, many hotels were concentrated in George Town and coastal areas of Penang Island, but the current nominations show that tourism growth is becoming more balanced between the island and the mainland,” he said.
Wong said Penang’s continued recognition in international tourism rankings and awards is driven by the state’s diverse attractions.
He noted that Penang’s strengths include its cultural heritage, such as the George Town Historic City, as well as natural assets like the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve, which continue to draw international visitors.
He added that Penang’s hotel industry has expanded rapidly in recent years, with more new properties opening while service quality continues to improve.
Wong said the presence of PICCA Convention Centre @ Butterworth Arena on the nomination list also reflects the growing potential of Penang’s meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector.
According to statistics, Penang hosted 3,391 business events and conferences in 2025, attracting 451,198 delegates and generating 824,505 room nights.
“These events contributed an estimated economic impact of RM1.91bil, representing a 47.7% increase compared with 2024,” he said.
Wong said Penang’s convention infrastructure continues to improve with facilities such as PICCA Convention Centre @ Butterworth Arena, the Setia SPICE Convention Centre and the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre.
He said the state government, through the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau, is actively bringing in high-value international meetings and exhibitions to further strengthen the sector.
Wong also noted that several international hotel brands have announced investments in Penang, which will enhance the state’s capacity to host major events.
With this year being Visit Malaysia Year 2026, he said the state government has stepped up overseas tourism promotion in cities with direct flights to Penang.
He also thanked tourism industry players and visitors for their continued support, saying their confidence and recognition have helped Penang gain greater visibility on the global tourism stage.