PENANG wants its travel trade community to explore new experiences and adventures to sustain the inflow of foreign and domestic tourists to its shores.
State executive councillor Wong Hon Wai, who oversees tourism, said that the ghostly experiences in conjunction with the American's Halloween culture is an example of how the state can diversify its tourism attraction base.
Wong said that the state was keen to tap the family - tourism segment where more people can come from young and old to enjoy the splendour of the state.
He said that the ghostly experience is a new tourism segment and it caters to families.
"We want to offer new adventures and activities for families. Healthy fun and an occasion for the family to bond," said Wong.
With sports - theme tourism is regarded as important in view that Penang will soon host its annual Penang Bridge marathon - said to be among the biggest in the region, Wong said that the state supports initiatives to tap the ghost experience for tourists.
The Top, the tallest tourism attraction in Penang has unveiled its attraction for this year's Halloween experience, which begins October 31 until November 3 at Level Five of its facility in Komtar.
The Top, a one - stop diversified theme park, has erected a ghost house to lure visitors and special food with Halloween theme for its diners.
Wong launched the event with support from the Top's general manager Wan Husaini Rahman and its direction of education - theme tourism Norhassim Mahat.
Norhassim later revealed that the Top has been accredited by the education authorities as an education - theme tourism product.
"We have the (state sponsored) Tech Dome and various museums besides our exhibition facilities to entice schoolchildren and their families to visit us."
Norhassim said that various packages which are designed to stimulate a learning experience and adventure for students, would be offered here.
Tech Dome is a form of science museum, offering the latest technology innovations and inventions to promote the mastery of science, technical, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to students here.
Penang recorded nearly seven million air passengers last year, up 64.5 % from 2022.
The surge in airliner passenger arrivals indicated a significant uptick in tourism, suggesting an increased demand for international and domestic flights and potentially reflecting positive economic and global travel trends.
The number of international flights was at 259 weekly in December, compared to 210 in December 2022.
Despite the delayed reopening of some top touristy countries such as China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan, during the last quarter of 2022, Penang's tourism has bounced back and exceeded expectations with China now emerging as the top inbound market. - October 2, 2024.
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