PENANG is banking on a steady pipeline of new business events to reinforce its position as a leading meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) destination, even as global uncertainties, including the Middle East conflict, continue to weigh on parts of the tourism sector.
State executive councillor for tourism Wong Hon Wai said the state is expecting fresh inflows of high-value events spanning heavy industries, automotive, healthcare and hobby-related sectors, all of which are expected to contribute to the recovery and expansion of the tourism economy.
He said business events remain a crucial pillar of Penang’s tourism ecosystem, generating an estimated RM1.91 billion in economic value in recent years and attracting close to one million visitors linked to the subsector.
Wong noted that despite external headwinds, tourism activity in the state continues to show resilience, citing observations from the Penang chapter of the Malaysian Association of Hotels, whose chairman Tony Goh reported that some hotels achieved full occupancy during recent extended public holiday periods.
He also highlighted the growing scale of recurring events, including the annual “V-Con” conference, which is expected to draw around 7,000 delegates this month and a further 7,000 in September.
Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) chief executive officer Ashwin Gunasekaran said the strength of business travel demand is closely tied to the quality and diversity of a destination’s infrastructure and services.
He said Penang has continued to enhance its capabilities with the development of two major convention facilities, the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC) and the Setia SPICE Convention Centre, which position the state to attract larger and more complex international events.
Both Wong and Ashwin made the remarks during a media briefing ahead of the 11th World Miniature Hobby Show and Malaysia Competition, a homegrown event that has grown into one of the world’s top five miniature exhibitions.
Wong said the event’s expansion into a major convention venue marked a significant milestone, demonstrating how locally originated initiatives can evolve into globally recognised attractions that contribute meaningfully to tourism growth.
He added that the event, scheduled from June 13 to 14 at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre near Bayan Baru, would further enhance Penang’s appeal as a diversified tourism destination.
The exhibition is expected to attract hobby enthusiasts from 26 countries, with more than 1,000 participants taking part, underscoring Penang’s growing reputation as a hub for specialised international events and niche global communities. - June 6, 2026
