PENANG sees the need for joint marketing efforts to achieve even greater success as its reputation as a tourism destination is becoming more widespread.
State Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage (Petach) Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the fundamental basis for making progress in developing tourism was building strong partnerships – between tourism agencies and the industry, across the public sector and private sector.
“We are committed to fostering a highly skilled tourism workforce and I’m proud to announce that Petach was first among Malaysia’s authority to foster a digital campaign with Tik Tok,” Yeoh said in his speech at the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang Chapter 3rd biennial dinner in the Light Hotel in Seberang Jaya recently.
“Our ongoing efforts to boost Penang’s tourism development encompass restructuring, rebranding, remarketing and repositioning the state as a brand on the global market.”
In June, the Penang Global Tourism collaborated with Tik Tok, an app for short form mobile videos, to promote Penang’s vibrant festivals, diverse culture and rich heritage to domestic and foreign tourists.
Tik Tok is said to have an international monthly active users of 180 million, including 50 million active users in Southeast Asia.
Yeoh said the year 2020 would be a very important year for Penang as the state government has made tourism more central to its plans and programmes, especially the nation’s Visit Malaysia Year 2020 and the state’s Experience Penang Year 2020 (EPY 2020).
“Social media platforms play a vital role in the transformation of the travel sector over the last decade, creating new businesses around everything from sharing economy to mobile apps.
“Travellers are more tech-savvy and digital innovation helped form a framework for entirely new segments to not only enter the market—but thrive!
“We have also jumped on the band wagon, leveraging emerging technologies for better engagement and providing more personalised experiences.”
Also present were former state executive councillor Datuk Law Heng Kiang, MAH immediate past president Samuel Cheah, who was also representing MAH president Kamaruddin Baharin, MAH Penang chapter chairman Khoo Boo Lim and organising chairman Raj Kumar.
Khoo said this year they unanimously decided to have the dinner, also known as ‘Mingle & Jingle 3.0’, on the mainland side of Penang since the previous two were held on the island.
He also encouraged all the hoteliers to work together and ensure all visitors experience the mesmerising ‘Diversity of Penang’ and make the EPY 2020 a resounding success for the state.
“These recent years mainland of Penang has developed by leaps and bounds and the changes are invigorating,” Khoo said in his speech.
“Investments are pouring in and with the support of the people and government, the future is looking very bright and exciting.
“The objectives of this dinner have always been the same – to use the funds raised wisely and diligently towards the benefit of all the association and its members.”
Khoo later presented a Lifetime Achievement Award on half of MAH Penang Chapter to Law.
Cheah, in his speech, praised the MAH Penang Chapter for playing an active part in several key corporate social responsibility projects as well as an important role in the tourism industry.
One of the latest significant contributions, he said, was the ‘Ambulance for Life Project’, initiated by Hard Rock Hotel, where the chapter and several hotel members came together to raise fund to purchase a fully equipped ambulance for the benefit of the Batu Ferringhi/Teluk Bahang community and tourists.
Story by K.H. Ong