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NEIGHBOURING Indonesia is now among the top ten contributors to tourism arrivals in Penang ever since the pandemic ended.
State executive councillor Wong Hon Wai, who oversees tourism, said that in the first half of this year alone, 192,823 tourists from Indonesia, arrived on direct flights with the bulk believed to be coming in for medical - tourism.
This is a rise of two percent compared to 188,905 Indonesians, who came over the same period last year.
"If we take into account airliner passengers who transit at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminals, I think the arrival figures would be even higher. They also form majority of tourists seeking treatment under medical - tourism."
According to Wong, the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), detailed that 65.8 percent from the total income of medical tourism, is derived from Indonesians.
In the northern region, Wong cited that over 90 percent of the income from medical tourism came from Indonesia nationals, he said.
Wong said this at the Nusantara festival, which was organised by the Penang - Indonesian Society Association at the Bukit Jambul (retail) Complex here.
Among those in attendance were the Indonesian Consul - General based in Penang; Wanton Saragih and the association chairman Eddy Virgo.
Wong expressed an interest to expand the festival reach, saying that it builds good neighbourly relations, especially with an emerging economy such as Indonesia.
It also helps promote dual tourism activities between both Penang and the provinces in Indonesia, notably in the Medan city and Sumatera.
Currently, Penang has direct air links with Banda Aceh, Medan, Jakarta and Surabaya.
There are 56 direct flights weekly from the four rapidly expanding cities there. - August 12, 2025.
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