ONE of the world’s largest online travel agencies, Trip.com Group, has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Penang Global Tourism (PGT), an agency under the state government, to elevate Penang’s tourism industry.
The MoU signing ceremony was held at the Citadines Connect Georgetown Hotel today, with Trip.com Group being represented by its vice-president Edison Chen and PGT represented by its chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan.
The MoU signing ceremony was witnessed by caretaker Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and caretaker Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin.
Chen said through the MoU, Trip.com Group’s platforms, namely Trip.com and Ctrip, will promote inbound tourism to Penang over the next three years.
“This expansion will now see Penang being promoted to travellers from global markets, including mainland China, Singapore, South Korea, Japan and Australia.
“Trip.com Group and PGT also have been longstanding partners. Together, we have weathered the challenges posed by the pandemic and our cooperation has become even closer.
“Thus, we remain committed to developing a diverse range of products and expanding the market for Penang,” he said in his speech.
Ooi said the collaboration sets a new precedent for the state covering multiple markets and will undoubtedly contribute to the growth and prosperity of Penang’s tourism industry.
“Trip.com Group and PGT also have been collaborating since 2016, but this agreement still achieves a few firsts such as Trip.com Group is PGT’s first global partner, while PGT is similarly Trip.com Group’s first global partner within Malaysia.
“It is also the first post-pandemic MoU between the two organisations,” Ooi said.
Chow congratulated PGT and Trip.com Group on the historic partnership and the signing of the first MoU between the two entities after the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said the partnership between Trip.com Group and PGT heralds a new era for tourism in the state.
“Tourism has always been a vital contributor to Penang’s economy, and this collaboration represents the first global partnership between Trip.com Group and Penang.
“It also highlights the importance of global cooperation in our post-pandemic world, where we seek to revitalise and reignite the travel industry.
“PGT, under the leadership of Mr Ooi and Trip.com Group, represented by Mr Chen, are two formidable forces coming together to propel Penang’s tourism to greater heights,” said Chow.
During the ceremony, Chow also praised Yeoh for all his contribution as the Penang executive councillor in-charge of the Tourism and Creative Economy portfolio.
“As we know, this would be YB Yeoh last term as an exco member and elected representative.
“But still, he has done a tremendous job during his one-term tenure holding this important portfolio when Penang tourism industry managed to receive various achievements over the years.
“And I wish him best of luck on his future endeavours,” Chow said.
Also present during the MoU ceremony were Trip.com Group chief marketing officer Bo Sun, Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang chapter chairman Tony Goh, Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association (MyBHA) (Penang chapter) chairman Andy Lau and Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture (Motac) Penang director Jonathan Freddy P. Bagang.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis
Video by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat