GEORGE TOWN – Penang has begun investing in the digitalisation aspects of tourism with more emphasis placed on improving the safety and health protocols as part of the requirements to tap the international market.
With Covid-19 having disrupted the marketplace here over the past two years, Penang needs to reposition its strengths in coping with the adversities caused by the virus.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said Penang and the country need to be prepared as competition is expected to be rife when international travel resumes.
“The pandemic has accelerated the need for the authorities to look after the hygiene and public safety of a destination. Penang is on the right track in this regard,” Yeoh said after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between state-linked company Global Tourism and Hong Kong-based online travel provider Klook.
The partnership is to collaborate on the digital platform to improve tourism in Penang.
Klook is one of the leaders in the international travel arena with a large user base, especially across the Asia-Pacific market.
“We believe this journey with Klook that we are about to embark on will be nothing short of rewarding, especially with Klook having a strong track record of partnering with tourism boards around the world to stimulate tourism growth through the offering of its global network and digital capabilities,” said Yeoh.
He added that Penang is the first state to debut its Covid-19 safety accreditation programme, which is aimed at making the state a responsible destination.
“This will instil confidence in tourists.”
Later, he told a press conference that the state plans to aid the hospitality industry to address the acute shortage of manpower in the hotel line.
“We are holding short courses to expose the youth and we hope they will sign up to learn the art of becoming hoteliers.”
Yeoh also wants hotel operators to embrace digitalisation to help offset the shortage of workers in the service-oriented industry. – The Vibes, November 23, 2021
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