THE Penang government is hoping to bring in more airlines after a smooth start to the Penang-Singapore Vaccinated Travel Lane by air (VTL-air) on March 16.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the state would like to have more airlines flying to Penang, especially from the Asean region in a bid to revive its tourism industry.
“We can’t reveal much detail now. We are in the midst of discussion with some of the airlines at the moment. At present, everything is progressing smoothly.
“I foresee it is a positive sign to brighten up the state’s tourism future,” he told reporters when asked for the Penang-Singapore VTL-air update.
Yeoh, who has been advocating for the Penang-Singapore VTL-air, said no Covid-19 positive cases were reported as of now.
The initiative allows vaccinated travellers from both sides to travel without being required to undergo quarantine upon arrival.
Yeoh had earlier witnessed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between Grand Orient Hotel & Laguna Waterpark and BonusLink Loyalty Card.
Yeoh said he was pleased to witness the elite partnership signing ceremony.
“It is a great news and a great partnership between Grand Orient Hotel & Laguna Waterpark and BonusLink Loyalty Card, which benefits the state’s tourism industry,” he said.
Grand Orient Hotel & Laguna Waterpark founder Datuk Oon Weng Boon expressed his gratitude to Yeoh for his support.
“This elite partnership programme is a way of reward to sustain the development in state’s tourism industry on mainland after the pandemic.
“It is not only benefitting the guests of our hotel, but also other mainland hotels, which have forged their partnerships with BonusLink Loyalty Card.
“This is a strong testament to the confidence BonusLink has in our tourism industry,” he added.
Also present were Tourism, Arts and Culture (northern region office) director Shahrul Aman, Tourism, Arts and Culture (northern region office) director Jonathan Freddy Bagang, BonusKad Loyalty Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Melvin Ooi, Malaysia Association Hotel (Penang chapter) chairman Raj Kumar, Grand Orient Hotel & Laguna Waterpark manager James Chang, and Penang Global Tourism (PGT) chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan.
Story and pix by Edmund Lee