STATE Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin today launched the seven World Wonders of Penang in Hatyai to woo tourists, especially from southern Thailand.
He said he was proud to unveil the state’s campaign ‘Experience Penang 2022: The Diversity of Asia’ to introduce the seven World Wonders that have now become nouveau attractions and new challenges for all tourists around the world.
“We want to showcase that Penang is diversely made to offer the best-in-class experience for everyone who seeks a different experience of the journey that fulfils your dream and purpose in life,” Yeoh said during his speech at the launch of the 7 World Wonders of Penang at New Season Square Hotel in Hatyai.
“We want to deliver those experiences to our visitors and make Penang a globally renowned tourist attraction. All I could say is that this seamless experience is now ready for you.”
Earlier, Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan had briefed the attendees comprising Thai hoteliers, travel agents and local media practitioners the seven World Wonders of Penang in his slide presentation during the Penang Product Update.
Ooi said Penang has the world’s longest outdoor water slide – a Guinness World Record (Escape Penang), the world’s highest altitude stressed ribbon bridge surrounded by 130-million-year-old forest which is much, much older than the Amazon (The Habitat Penang Hill), the world’s steepest tunnel track towards Penang Hill (Penang Hill), the world’s first tropical butterfly farm (Entopia), the world’s highest ropes course challenge (The Gravityz), the world’s first free-standing vertical drop slide (Tech Dome Penang) and the world’s first tower semi-curved skywalk (The Top Penang).
The beauty of these seven wonders was dramatised by a performance from a group of young local Thais, mostly students engaged by an event company, acting in sync with the backdrops of the seven respective attractions.
Apart from Ooi, Malaysia Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang Chapter chairman Tony Goh and StudyPenang secretary Johnny Goh also made their presentations to give the attendees an idea of the hotels and accommodation, and the world-class education opportunities the state can offer to the Thais respectively.
This was followed by a short presentation by Krungthai Card Public Company Limited (KTC) area manager Phatchara Sakdanaraseth on the special privileges the company is offering to its 2.5 million credit card members on direct flights to Penang, hotel and ticket bookings.
A business matching session then ensued between 24 sellers from Penang and one from Thailand, and 37 Thai buyer agents.
Meanwhile, in a media meeting after the launch, Yeoh and Ooi were asked to give one word for Penang and why.
Yeoh chose the word, ‘diversity’, explaining that Penang is such a unique place and known for its sandy beaches, two Unesco accolades, food paradise and a cultural melting pot of the West and East.
Ooi picked the word ‘challenge’, saying that the millenials especially want to know themselves better.
“I think through the seven wonders and all their challenges you will discover and know yourself better.
“As YB (Yeoh) said we have the diversity of Asia. So, through these different challenges, before you visit Penang and after you have visited Penang, you will find something that you are not aware you are capable of doing or have that talent. Challenge is the word,” Ooi explained.
Also present were Malaysia consul-general in Songkla Muhammad Ridzuan Abu Yazid, StudyPenang executive director Datuk Khoo Boo Lim, Hatyai vice-governor Samrit, Tourism Council of Thailand president Sompol Chevawattanapong, Krungthai Card Public Company Limited (KTC) travel, leisure marketing, credit care business manager Pattheera Anandchotiphatchara, Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) – Lower Southern Chapter president Pongpan Pakiyakul, Hatyai Commercial Technological College & Jitjan High School manager Jitjan Saraviroj.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar