BALIK PULAU – It will take time for Penang to reconnect with the major inbound tourism markets because of the prolonged lockdowns which the country implemented in a bid to control the spread of Covid-19.
It will not happen overnight – it takes time for Penang to tap the major markets, Penang exco for tourism Yeoh Soon Hin said.
He said that steps have begun to re-engage with the traditional markets of Europe, the Middle East, China, and India, with a major focus devoted to the regional Asean market.
“We need time. Now it is April, we are looking by June to try to bring in some direct flight connections to Penang. The good news is that we have reopened, and Penang has one of the best vaccination rates including booster shots in the country,” Yeoh said after launching Balik Pulau and Teluk Bahang tourism attractions at the Lexi Suites Hotel in Teluk Kumbar here.
He said that Penang’s marketing forays have focused on the traditional markets, and it is looking to expand to the Middle East, while also trying to regain its foothold among neighbours in Asean.
Penang was once the preferred destination for medical tourism for Indonesians, and steps are being taken to open up the healthcare segment to foreigners.
Although flights are coming in with encouraging numbers of passengers and domestic tourism is back at almost full throttle, it will take time for tourism to flourish like it was before the pandemic, travel trade members here noted.
To this, Yeoh urged the community to follow the Penang Tourism Master Plan, which was conceived to guide the state through the recovery phase of the pandemic.
He said that the United Nations World Tourism Organisation had predicted that tourism can only return to its normal levels by 2024 so naturally it will take time for Penang.
Earlier, Yeoh said that Balik Pulau and Teluk Bahang continues to be major sources of interest among tourists – from the durian orchards to the Boulder Valley Glamping, Tropical Spice Garden, the Tropical Fruit Farm to the Escape Theme Park and the Entopia by the Penang Butterfly Farm.
He also promised to look into suggestions from Association of Tourism Attractions Penang chairman Ch’ng Huck Theng that proper licensing be accorded to the attractions in the Balik Pulau district due to its unique settings.
Penang has many organic farming and various eco-tourism products which are yet to be fully licensed due to the different requirements of the land office, district office and the Penang Island City Council.
Yeoh also said that the state will welcome any initiatives to set up tourist attractions in the Balik Pulau districts, including restaurants and investments in arts and culture. – The Vibes, April 13, 2022
