KUALA LUMPUR – Penang recently launched its “Experience Penang” tourism campaign after several months of delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic and red tape.
The campaign invites domestic travellers to explore the hidden gems of the state – both on the island and mainland – besides traditionally established hallmarks such as those related to food, beaches, and heritage.
Officiating the launch at The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur recently, state exco for tourism Yeoh Soon Hin led the private sector to promote Penang as a destination of choice.
“Experience Penang” advertisements were unveiled in the city centre of KL.
Among those who attended the event were chairman of the Penang chapter of the Malaysian Association of Hotels chairman K. Raj Kumar, Association of Tourism Attractions chairman Ch’ng Huck Theng and Malaysian Budget and Business Hotels Association Penang chapter secretary Andy Lau Eng Leong.
A team from the state agency called Penang Global Tourism, led by its chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan, was also present at the event.
Yeoh said that the campaign is an important step in rebuilding Penang’s tourism sector and a bid to attract more domestic tourists to visit the state.
“Although Penang remains a popular tourist destination, we must still keep on improving and creating new tourism products for visitors to see and explore so that they can spend more days in the state.
“For instance, instead of staying for two days and one night, tourists can choose to stay for three days and two nights – or maybe longer – to explore Balik Pulau, Teluk Bahang, and Seberang Prai,” said Yeoh.
He added: “The charming countryside of Balik Pulau packs an assortment of treasures for nature lovers, from remote beaches to traditional village houses, plantations, fishing villages, animal farms, and paddy fields.”
“Visitors can look forward to enjoying a scenic ride through Balik Pulau’s tranquil rural landscape on bicycles and discover the village’s folk industries, farms, plantations, and beaches at their own pace.”
Penang is the only state in the peninsula to be awarded two Unesco certifications – for its World Heritage Site in George Town and the Penang Hill Unesco Biosphere Reserve.
The state’s eclectic street art has now also expanded to Balik Pulau.
It is in line with Penang’s aspiration to become a premier, sustainable, and diversified tourism destination, as outlined in the Penang Tourism Master Plan and Penang2030 vision to create quality tourism products across the state, according to Penang Global Tourism.
In a statement, it pointed out that Teluk Bahang also stands out as a unique playground for naturalists and adventure junkies.
Teluk Bahang’s forest is home to a string of modern eco-tourism attractions such as Boulder Valley Glamping, Tropical Spice Garden, ESCAPE Theme Park and Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm.
There is also plenty to discover in Seberang Prai, namely the Butterworth Art Walk, Pulau Aman, Taman Rimba Bukit Mertajam, Frog Hill, and Kampong Agong.
Visitors can stroll along Jalan Bagan Luar, known as Butterworth Art Walk, where eye-catching murals and installations serve as colourful backdrops for photo opportunities while educating visitors about the mainland’s agricultural economy and history.
Pulau Aman offers visitors serenity and splendid vistas, thanks to its colourful fishing boats, historical sites, beautiful beaches, and vast offerings of seafood dishes.
Adventurous visitors can also immerse themselves in activities such as kayaking, fishing, jungle trekking and camping at Pulau Aman.
Travellers can also make their way to Taman Rimba Bukit Mertajam, famed for a giant “mengkundur” tree estimated to be over 80 years old.
To assure safer travels to visitors while sustaining the state’s efforts to revive Penang’s travel industry, the state also launched the “Penang Responsible Tourism” campaign and the Covid-19 Safety Accreditation Programme last year.
Visitors must check-in and check-out via MySejahtera and comply with temperature checks, sanitisation, physical distancing, and double masking.
A recent survey by an online travel platform revealed that Malaysians are keen on travelling to well-known domestic tourist spots.
Penang is among the top five most booked choices for its urban settings, which offer all the sights and sounds of contemporary life while maintaining the state’s historical charms.
While tourism in Penang has seen a significant resurgence as vaccinated tourists begin to throng the hotspots, it is also a cause for concern, as it exacerbates traffic congestion along the main roads and the narrow streets in parts of town. – The Vibes, December 26, 2021.
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