GEORGE TOWN – Penang is looking forward to the resumption of the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry from March 5 onwards following the federal government’s announcement to allow the reopening of the sector.
“We have to ensure a safe reopening of MICE activities through strict compliance of all business events,” said state tourism and creative economy committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin in a statement here today.
He said that Penang has taken the lead by becoming the first state to introduce standardised guidelines for local business events last year to transition the industry towards new normal practices.
“Last year, my office launched several guidelines for the tourism industry, and we have a holistic guideline prepared for business events by the Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau.
“This is also part of the state’s initiative and commitment to drive the recovery of the business events in Penang as a premier destination.”
Yeoh added that the resumption of MICE events would help to resuscitate the hotel industry which suffered a plunge in revenue following the implementation of the second movement control order.
“We encourage business event organisers and visitors to stay at hotels which comply strictly to the standard operating procedures instead of at unlicensed short term stay accommodations which do not need to adhere to such measures,” he said.
“My office has also initiated the Covid-19 state accreditation programme to ensure that tourism industry establishments meet and adhere to strict hygiene and safety standards set by the local authorities.
“We have hotels in Penang which have been vetted by the relevant authorities and received the Covid-19 safety accreditation to strengthen the preventive measures against Covid-19,” said Yeoh, adding that the full list of the hotels can be obtained the Penang lawan Covid-19 website . – The Vibes, February 27, 2021.
