The Penang government has been praised for launching many initiatives to stimulate the rapid recovery of the tourism industry.
Penang Hoteliers Association chairman Datuk Lim Mee Lee said the tourism stakeholders are now looking forward to the economic recovery phase as they put the difficulties and harsh days of the Covid-19 pandemic behind them.
“I must thank the Penang state government for their endless efforts to assist and promote the tourism sector and hotel industry in Penang. Even now, we can see so many good ideas and promotions being carried out by the various government bodies to promote tourism,” Lim said during his speech at the Penang Hoteliers Association (PHA) and Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association (MyBHA) Annual Dinner at G Hotel yesterday.
“So this evening, it is our chance to gather and network together to build our industry up once again. We look forward to better days ahead. And we wish every member of the association good business and strong successful recovery.”
According to Lim, the anniversary dinner was planned for 2020 but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, had to be postponed for two years.
It was held to jointly celebrate PHA’s 65th anniversary and MyBHA Penang’s 17th anniversary.
MyBHA Penang branch chairman Lau Eng Leong also expressed his gratitude to the state government for helping the tourism industry players many times during the pandemic.
He also called on the industry players to work together and work hard to prosper again.
State executive councillor Chong Eng, who represented Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at the dinner, said many industry players have reported to her that their businesses are getting back to normal.
“The state will continue to look for ways to open up more opportunities for the industry players.
“During the pandemic, the state executive councillor in charge of tourism and creative economy, Yeoh Soon Hin, had constantly strived to revive the tourism industry.
“We can now look forward to the state holding large-scale international events, such as the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) 2022 to be held next month.
“Many re-investments and new investments are coming to Penang and I believe Penang has a high growth potential,” said Chong Eng, who heads the state’s Social Development and non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee.
About 500 people attended the anniversary dinner.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix courtesy of Penang Hoteliers Association