Penang, 13 July 2024* – The Penang State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy (PETACE), YB Wong Hon Wai, delivered an inspiring speech at the MITM Travel Fair, outlining the remarkable progress and prospects of Penang’s tourism sector. As the largest international travel fair in Northern Malaysia, the event highlighted Penang’s emergence as a top travel destination.
Penang has received numerous accolades in 2024, including being named the Most Popular Outbound Travel Destination by “Guangzhou Daily” and ranking fourth in Preply’s list of Top 10 Cities for Expats Moving to Asia. Additionally, Travel + Leisure’s Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024 and “DestinAsian” magazine both recognized Penang among the Top 10 Best Islands in Asia. These honours underscore Penang’s growing international appeal.
To support the influx of tourists, PETACE has been actively expanding Penang’s international air route network. Currently, Penang boasts direct flights from 16 major international cities, with Shenzhen set to become the 17th on 27 July 2024. China Southern Airlines, the event’s designated airline, will also double its Guangzhou-Penang direct flights to two daily flights starting 1 September 2024. This expansion is expected to further boost tourist arrivals from key markets.
The increase in flights and passengers has necessitated the expansion of Penang International Airport. This year, efforts will focus on optimizing existing infrastructure and adding six new parking bays, with further expansion projects in the pipeline. Additionally, Penang has welcomed several maiden cruise calls in 2024, including the Costa Deliziosa, the Serenade of the Seas, and the MS The World, enhancing the state’s accessibility by sea.
Land transport is also being improved, with the Penang LRT project progressing in phases to enhance the local transportation network. New tourism products, such as the Penang Hill Cable Car Project, are underway to enrich visitor experiences. These initiatives signify Penang’s commitment to maintaining its status as a premier tourist destination in the post-pandemic era.
The hospitality sector is set for growth with several new hotels slated to open, including Crowne Plaza Penang Straits City, The Westin Penang, and Le Meridien Penang Resort. Furthermore, the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre, scheduled for completion by 2025, will bolster Penang’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism. These developments are anticipated to drive economic expansion, create jobs, and enhance Penang’s global standing as a top tourism destination.
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