THE Ascott Gurney Penang on Oct 7 announced its decision to adopt Penang’s trishaw community to fund their maintenance fees to either repair or upgrade their vehicles on a long-term basis.
Its general manager Sharon Ang said the hotel aims to assist all the 200-odd trishaw riders in Penang.
“We will use our resources and contractors to help them upkeep and maintain their trishaws.
“Our goal is to assist all of them but today we have six trishaw riders with us first.
“We are looking at spending about RM300 to RM500 for each trishaw for various maintenance purposes.
“We are doing this as part of our corporate social responsibility (CSR) project, and we are truly grateful to be the first hotel to do so in Penang.
“Trishaw riders have been providing their services since the early 1940s, and being one of the few states to have this unique and special community, it is our responsibility to ensure they are well taken care of.
“This is one way for us to give back to the community, especially to our friends who take us for rides to enjoy the beauty of Penang day and night,” Ang said during a press conference at the hotel on Oct 7.
Meanwhile, state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin applauded Ascott’s initiative to introduce this project, which will also see the hotel stayers enjoy free trishaw rides around George Town during their stay.
“This is a very good initiative as it will help benefit both parties at once.
“Trishaws have been a culture since the yesteryears, therefore this move is key to preserving their status as a heritage icon in Penang.
“With this, I would like to urge more hotels, resorts and related brands to emulate Ascott’s initiative to assist our key tourism players who have been a part of our state of Penang,” Yeoh said in his speech.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Mersyad Omar