Penang executive councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy, Wong Hon Wai, will lead a delegation from the Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) to India next week to engage with key tourism stakeholders.
Announcing the visit during the MATTA Penang Networking Dinner & Fellowship Night 2024 at G Hotel Gurney last night, Wong shared plans to visit New Delhi and Kolkata.
“A new direct flight between Chennai and Penang was recently launched. We’re heading there to tap into the Indian market. Our focus is not just on ASEAN but also on expanding to India and China,” he said.
Wong highlighted that 2025 will be an exciting year for Penang, with several major infrastructure projects underway, including the Mutiara LRT Line, the expansion of Penang International Airport, the Penang Hill cable car project, the second phase of Gurney Bay, and the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre. He noted that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will officiate the groundbreaking ceremony of the Mutiara LRT Line in Sungai Pinang tomorrow.
With Malaysia chairing ASEAN this year, Wong mentioned that several high-level meetings are expected to be held in Malaysia, potentially including Penang as a host.
Wong also announced his upcoming visit to Singapore next month for the Singapore Chingay Parade, where the Penang team will participate. He noted ongoing collaboration between Penang, Johor, and Singapore to have the Chingay Parade inscribed on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
He expressed gratitude to MATTA Penang Chapter members and local tourism players for their passion and dedication to the industry.
MATTA Penang Chapter chairman Carolyn Leong praised association members for their contributions, calling them the “heart and soul of the tourism industry.”
“You are truly ambassadors of tourism, showcasing the best of our beautiful state of Penang. Your tireless efforts have attracted a record number of tourists to Malaysia, especially Penang,” she said
MATTA National President Nigel Wong remarked on the common friendliness among people in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia, emphasising that tourism is fundamentally about people.
“The strength of MATTA lies in our unity. Let us, at headquarters, thank you instead of the other way around. Regardless of the segment you work in, we all have a responsibility to bring more people to Malaysia and Penang,” he said.
Among those present were Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk A. Rajendran, Motac director Dr Annuar Mohamed; Northern Malaysia Tourism director Abdul Hadi Che Man; Machida Shinya, consul general of Japan in Penang; Ding Qiao, vice-consul general of China in Penang; Bapak Aryadi Ramadan, consul of Economic Affairs, Indonesian consulate; Datuk Ch’ng Huck Theng, chairman of Association of Tourism Attractions in Penang; and Ben Ho, vice-chairman 1, Malaysian Hotels Association Penang Chapter.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix courtesy of MATTA Penang Chapter