PENANG sees southern Thailand as a potential market to promote its education tourism, according to state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin.
Yeoh, who is currently leading a Penang delegation to Hatyai for a tourism roadshow, took the opportunity to meet several local tourism industry players at the New Season Square Hotel shortly after his arrival today.
“Both Penang and southern Thailand have a very strong tie in terms of tourism, trade and culture.
“There are a lot of things we can support each other mutually and have joint promotions because of our proximity.
“From the meeting with them, I found out that Penang is their preferred choice destination – not only for holidays but also for their students’ education.
“This is due to our advantage of having a multicultural society. We can speak English, Mandarin and Bahasa Malaysia and that is our strong point to attract Thai students to come to Penang to learn languages.
“Since we have StudyPenang, we will organise either a roadshow or education fair in the southern part of Thailand, collaborating with their schools and colleges.
“Hatyai is a noted hub in the Songkla province as many Thai people from the north like Chiangmai and Bangkok fly down to visit. They may then go to Betong and then return home. We should take Hatyai as a stepping stone for us to capture the tourists from other parts of Thailand,” he said.
In short, Yeoh said he would like to develop a tourism corridor between Penang and Songkla.
He added that a Songkla Week could be held in Penang and a Penang Week could be held in Songkla to strengthen awareness among residents from both sides.
Also present at the meeting were Penang Global Tourism (PGT) chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan, StudyPenang executive director Datuk Khoo Boo Lim, PGT senior marketing manager Pauline Wong, Hatyai Songkla Hotels Association president Dr Sitthipong Sitthiphataraprabha, Songkla Hotels Association vice-president Chanin Sakarin, Songkla Chamber of Commerce (committee chairman of tourism development) Suwat Phetwarothai, Happy Time Tour Hatyai managing director Pranassanant Promyen (Oou), 108 Tour representative Kirati Saengsri and Prince of Songkla University lecturer Duangtida Pattano.
Chanin said Songkla and Penang have a very long history of friendship and should further build upon it.
“I am confident we can have fruitful exchanges in many areas apart from tourism. We can at least do cross promotions a few times a year,” he said.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar