Tourism professionals and local government in Penang have noticed a major uptick in foreign visitors in recent months, which they attribute to a combination of government funding support and the region’s natural beauty.
“Sustainable nature-based tourism can attract many foreign tourists,” explains State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai “Especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, as new products are needed to attract different tourism segments,” he added.
The chairman has welcomed the news that Malaysia’s government plans to provide RM346 million in funds as part of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP). He also expressed his hopes that this money is used to recruit and train young talents in the sector.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has confirmed the government intends to support the tourism industry and help it rebuild following the movement control orders applied during the pandemic era. He sees nature-based tourism as a key avenue for investment and development in this area.
This support has already had a tangible impact on tourism in the province. Tony Goh is chairman of the Penang chapter of the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH). He has noted that bookings are up in the city centre and in Batu Ferringhi, where the number of foreign arrivals is on the rise.
“Based on the information we have received, many hotels in the state are seeing profits again, after suffering losses during the Covid-19 pandemic, while the shortage of hotel workers has eased,” he said.
“There are more direct international flights coming into Penang, thus making it easier for tourists to come to the state. We are also monitoring the services provided by hotels and no complaints received thus far.”
Penang is home to a range of tourist attractions, many of which have an emphasis on nature and the great outdoors. Some of the most popular are Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera), the Botanical Gardens, and the Penang National Park in Teluk Bahang. Various other beaches and coastal areas are known to be popular with international travellers.
To explore more of the unique attractions on offer in Penang, read the Panorama Destination Travel With Us blog.
