It was an evening to celebrate the triumphant return of the tourism and hospitality sector in Penang when the stakeholders gathered at The Tamarra By Irama Dining.
In all, some 400 guests had gathered at a night of fellowship and camaraderie.
Among them were from the tour and travel industry, hotels, government agencies, event organizers and other related bodies.
Penang State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy YB Yeoh Soon Hin addressed guests to welcome the New Year and the upcoming Chinese New Year and the Year of the Rabbit.
Also present was Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau chief executive officer Ashwin Gunasekeran, Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan, Penang director for the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Jonathan Freddy Bagang, Malaysian Association of Hotels vice chairman Dato Khoo Boo Lim, Malaysian Association of Hotels (Penang Chapter) chairman Tony Goh among others.
Also spotted was the president of the International Advertising Association, John D Chacko and Tourism Malaysia Northern Region deputy director Siti Hajar,
Guests were feted to a variety of local favourites like satay, char koay teow, ice kacang, roti canai, mee goreng, Hokkein mee, rojak among others.
With the tourism industry seeing brisk pick up and quick recovery after the reopening of international borders Penang is among the select destinations which has seen robust convergence of local tourist destinations and related sectors being filled to the brim.
Also making a resounding comeback is the Penang International Airport with more local and international flights, meetings and seminars packages while the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) is seeing mega cruise ships.
