GEORGE TOWN – Penang is stepping up promotions and marketing efforts with neighbours on regional and domestic fronts to maintain the momentum it has secured for its services sector.
Following the abysmal output from the sector after close to three years of lockdowns due to Covid-19 from 2020 till 2022, Penang now wants to boost its networking potential with states like Kedah and advanced economies like Singapore.
Two areas have been singled out to boost services – affordable education and tourism.
In Singapore, Penang’s newly appointed state executive councillor for tourism and creative economy, Wong Hon Wai, recently met Alvin Tan, Singapore’s minister of state for Culture, Community and Youth and minister of state for Trade and Industry, where he underscored the importance of Penang as their tourism and trade partner.
He led a delegation composed of Penang Global Tourism and 17 travel trade members, including 10 hoteliers, four private hospitals and travel agents.
The state also participated in the popular International Travel Bureau fair in Singapore, wooing participants with affordable packages centring around ecotourism, gastronomy, culture, arts and tourism, as well as medical tourism.
“Penang is seen as a leading Asian travel hub, so we hope to tap into this,” said Wong.
Meanwhile, StudyPenang executive director Datuk Khoo Boo Lim is embarking on a roadshow to showcase the state’s reputable international schools, colleges, universities and technical institutions to the masses.
As Penang wants to excel in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Khoo said that such specialisations are in demand among students from other states.
Hence, the roadshow to promote the state as an educational hub, said Khoo.
Altogether, 20 institutions of higher learning would be participating.
In another development, Beyond Contemporary Art Penang (BCAP) – an International Art Summit & Expo event – will take place in Penang, which was a major historical art hub of Southeast Asia in the mid-20th century.
BCAP is set to be an exciting, large-scale art integrated platform in the Asia Pacific with key integration of 4 major pillars: business with arts, tourism and education.
This is a global economic initiative intended to enhance the value of art and establish a new sustainable ecosystem for both art and business.
Besides the four major programmes (Art Summit, Art Expo, Art Auction and Art Award Gala Dinner), other off-site arts and tourism activities will also come together under one umbrella from November 9 till 12 at the St Giles - Wembley Hotel here. – The Vibes, October 28, 2023
