GEORGE TOWN – Tourism players in Penang should not slide into complacency following the overwhelming crowds during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri break, as the industry has yet to achieve a full recovery.
State tourism and creative economy committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said much of the industry’s recovery is dependent on travellers’ confidence, even as the country is transitioning into the endemic phase.
“We are serious about the industry’s recovery, as it is the rice bowl of many people and contributes greatly to the state’s economy.
“Hence, the Penang government is determined and committed to rebooting our tourism industry.”
Yeoh said this during his address at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Malaysia International Travel Mart (MITM) Travel Fair and Penang Global Tourism here.
The initiative is to promote Penang as the “preferred destination” under the state’s Tourism Rejuvenation Action Plan.
Also present were Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association president Paul Paw and Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan.
The MITM Travel Fair will be held between July 8 and 10 at the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur and is expected to be attended by tour operators, tourism organisations and consumers.
Yeoh said Penang will be taking up eight booths in Hall 3 and aims to renew domestic interest in the state.
Meanwhile, he said the state government last month had allocated RM1 million for the conservation and the preservation of the Church of Sacred Heart of Jesus in Bukit Mertajam.
“Aside from protecting our cultural heritage, this will also allow us to expand the cultural heritage tourism products and attract more tourists who are interested in the architecture of the Notre-Dame in Paris, as it had inspired the structure of the church in Bukit Mertajam.
“I am confident that after the conservation works are done, it will add much value to our tourism industry.” – The Vibes, May 6, 2022
