By V. Sivaji
The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dato Seri Tiong King Sing held a productive engagement session with key tourism industry stakeholders yesterday at the St Giles Wembley Hotel, Penang.
The meeting served as a platform to gather insights, address challenges and strengthen collaboration in preparation for the Ministry’s strategic plans and budget for the year 2026.
Upon arrival, Dato Seri Tiong was warmly received by the Vice Chairman of Tourism Malaysia and Chairman of Penang Port Commission, Dato Yeoh Soon Hin and the Penang State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy, YB Wong Hon Wai.
The dialogue brought together an array of industry leaders and representatives, including the Malaysian Association of Hotels (Penang Chapter), led by Vice Chairman Dato Gulab Mahatam Rai and their Secretary John Kim.
Also present were Dato Khoo Boo Lim, Vice President of the Malaysian Association of Hotels (National); representatives from Tourism Malaysia (Northern Region) headed by Director Abdul Hadi Che Man and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Penang branch, led by its Director, Dr Annuar Mohamed.
Other notable attendees included Ashwin Gunasekeran, Chief Executive Officer of the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB), Ooi Chok Yan, CEO of Penang Global Tourism (PGT), Ms Carolyn Leong, Chairperson of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Penang Chapter; Dato Ch’ng Huck Theng chairman of the Association of Tourism Attractions Penang (ATAP), Dr Mary Ann Harris, Executive Director of PMED, Andy Lau, Chairman of the Malaysian Budget Hotel Association (MyBHA) Penang, among others.
During the session, participants were given the opportunity to share their feedback, propose ideas and voice their concerns directly to the Minister. Discussions centred around strategies to attract more tourists, improve infrastructure and services and ensure that Penang and Malaysia as a whole remain competitive on the global tourism stage.
The Minister reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with stakeholders to realise the full potential of Malaysia’s tourism sector and emphasised the importance of collective effort in achieving the Ministry’s goals for 2025 and beyond.