GEORGE TOWN – Penang needs to tap into new international markets for its tourism industry due to the stiff domestic and global competition at present, said state exco for tourism Yeoh Soon Hin.
“There is a need to explore new markets, and for the state to consolidate on unveiling new attractions and promotions.
“We see that competition is now fiercer as more local and international destinations are vying for the same markets and same profile of tourists.
“We need to diversify,” he said, adding that these were among the reasons why he had led a small delegation to pay courtesy visits at foreign diplomatic missions in December.
This, he said, yielded a positive response with the Romanian ambassador Nineta Barbulescu and her husband Dan Barbulescu, arriving in Penang earlier this week for a courtesy visit.
Yeoh said that Penang is keen to collaborate with Eastern European nations on the mutual benefits of tourism.
Barbulescu said that she is impressed with Penang’s standing in Unesco as a World Heritage City, adding that Romania has many things in common with Penang because both have colourful histories.
Among them is a hill named Bukit Romania near Tg Bungah here.
She plans to hold a competition for anyone to find out how a hill on the island here could be named after her country, saying the historical anecdote would be interesting and it can further promote the island state to Romanians.
She also wants Penang to consider tapping Romania’s expertise in commercial ship building, heritage, and information technology, citing that her country has the top internet accessibility penetration in the world.
Barbulescu extended an invite to the locals to visit Romania to see the famed Bran Castle, commonly known as Dracula’s castle, a location referred to by author Bram Stoker in his famed novel Dracula. – The Vibes, February 16, 2022
