THE Penang government will ramp up its efforts to attract more tourists to the state in view of the country’s border reopening on April 1.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said his office would play a crucial role to revive the tourism industry in Penang.
“We will continue our efforts to conduct more promotion and marketing efforts to promote various tourist attractions in the state.
“This also includes promotional campaigns to promote hidden gems in Penang such as Balik Pulau and Seberang Perai.
“And we will launch a special promotional video next week to promote these two places.
“At the same time, we will also launch a Muslim-friendly tourism campaign soon to cater to the faith-based needs of Muslim travellers.
“We will also continue to explore the possibility of launching more direct flights to Penang with international airlines to boost and elevate Penang’s connectivity and thus attract more tourists into the state.
“After all, we are committed to doing our best to revive the tourism industry in Penang that has been on hiatus for almost two years,” Yeoh told a press conference during a walkabout at the Unesco World Heritage Site in George Town today.
Joining Yeoh in the walkabout were Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) councillor Wong Yuee Harng and George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee.
Chow and his entourage today visited several places located at the Unesco World Heritage Site such as souvenir shops and eateries to see their business operations in view of the reopening of international borders.
“We need to provide them support and morale boost during this time.
“Many of their businesses had suffered losses during this Covid-19 crisis. When I was walking along the way, I spoke to traders, restaurant owners, trishaw riders and art gallery owners. They told me they all felt the pinch.
“All of them hope that more tourists will visit the state after this just like in the pre-Covid-19 days.
“On behalf of the state government, as mentioned by YB Yeoh, we are doing our best to revive the tourism industry in Penang.
“We realise that the tourism sector is an important sector that can contribute a lot to the state’s economic development.
“Thus, with international border reopening, we hope that we can work together with the Federal Government and tourism stakeholders to revive the tourism industry,” Chow said.
According to Chow, it takes time for the tourism industry to return to normal just like during the pre-pandemic days.
“Thus, I would like to urge tourism operators to start or continue using social media platforms to boost and promote their businesses.
“Safe and responsible tourism also must be practised by tourism operators.
“Tourists want to feel safe and when they feel safe, they will come here again,” he said.
On a separate matter, Dr Ang said GTWHI had upgraded a total of 28 trishaws since 2021 through a special programme to rebrand Penang’s iconic trishaw riders.
“Through the programme, we have appointed two trishaw repair shops to upgrade the dilapidated trishaws in the state.
“We also give each of them a special shirt and specially-designed umbrella to ensure tourists feel comfortable and enjoy their trishaw rides.
“Based on our record, there are at least 100 registered trishaw pedlars in Penang (87 in George Town and the rest in Batu Ferringhi).
“And we will continue to upgrade and repair the remaining trishaws in the state,” she said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Ahmad Adil Muhamad