PENANG Global Tourism (PGT) today has become the first tourism bureau to partner with Tik Tok, an app for short-form mobile videos, to promote Penang as a key travel destination in South-East Asia (SEA).
The partnership will begin with a series of online initiatives to promote the state’s splendour on Tik Tok. The campaign kicks off with ‘Experience Penang 2020’, a drive by PGT highlighting Penang’s culture, heritage, arts, foods and nature.
As of now, the Tik Tok international monthly active users has reached 180 million, including 50 million active users in SEA region.
State Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said it was another milestone achieved as he believed the collaboration would have far-reaching influence internationally to promote tourism.
He said the current age of social media has shown that short video ads have better reach and impact on the viewers.
“This effort is aimed at strengthening the position of Penang as an Asian travel destination through widespread of social media influence,” he said in his speech at the Jazz Hotel in Tanjong Tokong today.
Yeoh was speaking before witnessing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between Tik Tok and PGT.
Tik Tok was represented by head of Public Policy for Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, Donny Eryastha while PGT was represented by its chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan.
Tik Tok’s short video with a 15-second limit could attract tourists and become the push to entice domestic and foreign tourists with vibrant festivals, diverse culture and rich heritage.
Penang’s tourism recently received a big boost after the island-state was listed by CNN Travel as one of the best places to visit.
Also, the state government had introduced the ‘Experience Penang 2020’ tourism year early this month.
Ooi said it was a good momentum for PGT to partner with Tik Tok in this initiative.
“It is something that we are looking forward to,” he said, adding that Penang is a place that everyone loves to visit.
Also present was Jazz Hotel general manager Khoo Boo Lim.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alvie Cheng