By V. Sivaji
The Association of Tourism Attractions Penang (ATAP) held a memorable dinner gathering at The Wembley – A St Giles Hotel Penang in the company of members, stakeholders and well-wishers.
Guest-of-honour was State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy YB Yeoh Soon Hin who was accompanied by ATAP chairman Dato Ch’ng Huck Theng and his committee members.
In his opening address, Ch’ng thanked his committee members for their hard work and perseverance during challenging times.
“It has been a long time we have not got a chance to gather all members from the tourism, travel and hospitality industry to get together and network with each other after a after the resumption of travel activities following the COVID-19 pandemic which has triggered an unprecedented crisis in the tourism economy for the past two years.
“I would like to say a big thank you to the leadership of our Chief Minister YAB Chow Kon Yeow and YB Yeoh Soon Hin, State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy for their leadership and effort in helping the tourism industry,” said Ch’ng.
Meanwhile, Yeoh noted his delight in meeting familiar faces at the event and congratulated the tourism stakeholders for emerging from the pandemic.
“I understand and empathize with the sufferings of the industry players. However, Penang’s economy has shown signs of great improvement and the lifting of the Movement Control Order (MCO).
“We have started seeing smiles on the faces of Penangites when businesses started returning and booming,” added Yeoh.
The occasion also served to launch its “Horizon Redefined” initiative and celebrate the 18th anniversary of ATAP as VIP guests performed a cake cutting ceremony to mark the occasion.
Guests had a chance to mingle and catch up on the latest developments while a live band and an eight-course dinner was served.
Lending support was representatives from the various tourism stakeholders. Among them was the State Director for the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Jonathan Freddy Bagang, Tourism Malaysia Northern Region Director, Shahrul Aman and his deputy Siti Hajar, AirAsia Director (North) Kenneth Tan and Ms Lisa Wong, MAS Area Manager Northern.
Also present was ATAP secretary Joseph Goh, Vice president Allen Tan, Malaysian Association of Hotels (Penang Chapter) chairman Tony Goh, MAH National VP Dato Khoo Boo Lim, Penang Port Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer Dato V Sasedharan among others.
ATAP has some 58 members in their organisation.
