PENANG will continue to be one of the top tourist destinations with a tremendous increase in direct international flights and the arrival of passengers.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the number of international direct flights has increased from 10 weekly flights in November 2021 to 184 weekly flights in December last year.
“This was an increase of 1,740% while the arrival of international passengers rose from 7,367 in 2021 to 629,476 last year. It was a significant 8,445% increase.
“The number of passengers movement at Penang International Airport (PIA) for both arrival and departure of domestic and international passengers has increased by 681% as well.
“It is a pleasing recovery rate, and we hope more tourists will flock to Penang, ” he said at a press conference at St George’s Hotel in George Town today.
Yeoh noted the reopening of China’s international borders was one of the reasons as well.
“On our part, we will reactivate our marketing programmes and campaigns to attract more tourists by curating attractive packages.
“We should continue to enhance Penang’s position as a world-renowned destination, making Penangites proud,” he said.
Yeoh expressed his gratitude to the airliners, hoteliers, travel agencies, travel industry associations, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), and the relevant industry stakeholders.
During the press conference, Yeoh also answered the hoteliers’ queries about the rebound in the tourism industry as well as efforts to tackle traffic issues.
Among those present were Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang chapter chairman Tony Goh, Penang Global Tourism (PGT) chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan, and hoteliers’ representatives.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alissala Thian