State opens for business again

Penang’s tourism sector is recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and efforts are being made to improve the infrastructure to support the growing industry. The Federal Government plans to expand and upgrade the Penang International Airport (PIA), which will enable the airport to handle more than 12 million passengers annually. Wong Hon Wai, the chairman of Penang’s tourism and creative economy committee, stated that this project will help attract more direct flights to Penang and emphasized the need to collaborate with federal agencies to ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place. He mentioned that direct flights with neighboring countries that were suspended during the pandemic have been reinstated.

The RM1.2 billion airport expansion project, including the construction of a new terminal and other passenger facilities, is expected to commence next year and take approximately three to four years to complete. Transport Minister Anthony Loke has stated that Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad (MAHB) will bear the cost of the expansion, as the airport’s current capacity of 6.5 million passengers is insufficient to handle the over eight million passengers it served in 2019.

International delegates mingling at a conference held at Setia SPICE arena. The state’s conference and convention tourism subsector is set to grow further. — Filepic

Wong shared that Penang is collaborating with the medical tourism industry to host roadshows in ASEAN countries, with the aim of attracting more international patients. The state has seen an increase in the number of private hospitals, and conference and convention tourism has also played a significant role in attracting visitors. He highlighted the availability of modern convention centers like the Setia SPICE Convention Centre, SP Arena, and Penang International Convention Cultural and Arts Centre (PICCA) at Butterworth Arena. The Penang Waterfront Convention Centre, which is still under construction, will soon be ready to host events. Wong mentioned that events are scheduled at these venues until 2031, as per discussions with the Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau.

Penang boasts two Unesco-listed attractions.

According to Wong, Penang’s tourism industry has experienced a V-shaped recovery following the pandemic. He noted that new capital is being invested in the industry, with new hotels opening, existing ones rebranding, and previously closed hotels reopening. He also mentioned the unexpected surge in beach hotel bookings during the recent National Day. Wong, who recently assumed his role, has been actively meeting stakeholders from the tourism industry, including hotels, tour agencies, and medical institutions, to gather insights and improve the tourism sector. He added that industry players from various countries are showing interest in establishing activities in Penang.

Wong emphasized Penang’s UNESCO-listed attractions, the George Town World Heritage Site and the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve, stating the importance of showcasing the state’s heritage, culture, food, and nature through exciting year-round events. He also emphasized the need to shift the focus from the island to the mainland, as the mainland has untapped potential for tourism. Additionally, he expressed his intention to support the creative economy by nurturing local artistic talents.