GEORGE TOWN – Seeing that Penang’s tourism industry will only fully bounce back in 2024, the state government will be talking to international carriers to resume direct flights to the state.
State Tourism and Creative Economy exco Yeoh Soon Hin said Penang is also focused on digital promotion and international roadshows in a bid to fend off competition from Thailand and Indonesia.
As the country’s borders reopened yesterday, direct flights resumed between Asean countries and Penang but the state hopes to see more coming from the west and the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said it is unlikely that the tourism industry will recover immediately, instead it will be a gradual improvement over the next two years.
During his walkabout at Armenian Street today, he said many tourism workers left the industry and are now hesitant to return for fear of another lockdown.
The state had welcomed about 1,000 Singaporeans in the first eight flights that landed at the Penang International Airport yesterday. – The Vibes, April 2, 2022
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