THE reputable oldest biscuit outlet in the country along Lebuh Pantai in Penang recently joined the ranks of historic establishments that had reinvented themselves in the face of rapid changes in consumer behaviours.
Using the Lunar New Year celebrations as a backdrop, the Ghee Hiang outlet in Lebuh Pantai is believed to be among the oldest, if not the most senior biscuit outlet in the country.
It is now over 165 years old and a pride of Penang's delicacy food heritage.
Knowing that change is something constant, the owners decided to upgrade its oldest establishment here by changing the decor and its products while also branding itself online.
It was during the China immigrant period into Malaysia that Ghee Hiang was established with the arrival of a Fujian pastry chef to Penang’s shores.
The chef, invited by Ghee Hiang’s founder, introduced Ghee Hiang traditional pastries in Penang and by the 1900s, its acclaimed sesame oil was showcased.
Even as Ghee Hiang becomes an integral part of Penang and a reminder of Malaysia’s colourful heritage and rich traditions, it continues to improve its products and techniques, said its executive director, Datuk Ch'ng Huck Theng.
Ch’ng also leads the Association of Tourism Attractions Penang and is outspoken on all things touristy.
Realising that it is the custodian of the art of manufacturing authentic, perfect sesame oil, oriental pastries and coffee, Ch'ng also modernised the concept by incorporating e-commerce, food deliveries, and social media.
At the newly renovated outlet, Ghee Hiang has introduced a new line of cookies with a conscious effort on ensuring that it also has nutrition content, not just as a comfort food reference and its own frozen ice cream.
Ghee Hiang has also opened its biscuit manufacturing factory to tourists, as part of their contribution towards making tourism a complete experience here. It is also earned halal certification for some of its produce.
Ch'ng invited Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow together with state executive councillor for tourism, Yeoh Soon Hin and state chief police officer Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain to join in the occasion for the newly refurnished outlet. It is making what was once old, refreshing new, said Ch'ng.
As the old reinvent themselves, the newest hospitality properties took the Year of the Rabbit by storm here by coming out with one of the sumptuous buffet spreads to mark the start of the Chinese New Year.
Just as the bunnies hop into the year, the hotels unveiled plans to beat prove their critics wrong as they begin the year in earnest.
Ascott Gurney Hotel plans to prove doubters wrong that a hotel can thrive despite that the Gurney Drive waterfront is under serious reclamation work to make way for the proposed new recreational playground of Gurney Whaft.
It is the first hotel in Penang to offer a full range of private food and beverage outlets and novelty outlets to complement its own coffee house and rooms.
Recently, Mondi Mecja, Ascott's country general manager for Malaysia, said that there are plans to open three more properties in Kuala Lumpur and Penang despite the rather sluggish tourism outlook.
He said that with a significant global brand presence in hospitality and tourism, Ascott will continue to expand its footprints in Malaysia.
For the recent Lunar New Year, the hotel worked overtime to offer innovative dishes to mark the festive period, as Mecja stressed that quality service and food are often a big plus point in the hospitality circles.
Over at the southern part of the island – the biggest property to open in the northern region last year – the Amari Spice Hotel, is also competing to prove its critics wrong that there is no market for big business-class hotels here.
After the biggest hospitality property in Penang, the Equatorial Hotel, closed its doors two years ago with the main blame accorded to the Covid-19 pandemic, Amari is under pressure to prove the contrary.
It has 453 rooms but the big plus point is Penang's aggressive foray into the world of meetings incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector.
The business traveller market is expected to boom this year, said Amari's general manager Noorazzudin Omar.
Amari recently also conducted its corporate social responsibility programme by hosting the old folks from Rumah Intan in Gelugor for a buffet luncheon.
Noorazzuddin also invited travel bloggers and the media to the occasion.
It is part of the hotel’s efforts to endear itself to the community, said Noorazzuddin. – The Vibes, January 26, 2023
