CruiseWorld Malaysia held its inaugural conference gathering at the Penang Marriott Hotel here. The theme for the gathering was “Sea of Opportunities, Land of Discoveries,”.
The gathering brought together tour and travel agents along with government authorities and related industry stakeholders.
Lending support was Transport Minister YB Anthony Loke along with State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy YB Wong Hon Wai, Tourism Malaysia deputy chairman, Dato Yeoh Soon Hin, Michael Goh, President of StarDream Cruises among others. A host of Penang state excos also made their presence.
In his address, Loke thanked the organisers of CruiseWorld Malaysia for choosing Penang as this year’s host venue.
“It is not just a fitting choice—it’s a smart one. Because when we talk about cruise tourism in Malaysia, we cannot have that conversation without talking about Penang.
“Penang has what the industry looks for:strategic location, modern infrastructure, and a rich cultural experience that’s hard to match. The Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal has already proven it can handle world-class liners and increasing passenger flows.
“Now, as Minister of Transport, I want to be clear—cruise tourism is not an after thought in our national development plans. It is an essential part of a bigger strategy to strengthen Malaysia’s position as a transportation, tourism, and trade hub. And with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 on the horizon, the timing could not be better,” said Loke.
Meanwhile, Wong expressed his delight that CruiseWorld Malaysia 2025, held right here in the vibrant city of George Town.
“The cruise industry continues to play an important role in our visitor economy. This is the first time CruiseWorld Malaysia is being held in Penang, and we are honoured to be the host. I would like to thank the organiser for this vote of confidence and to all of you for making the trip here to be part of this exciting journey.
“Penang’s tourism sector has not only recovered but is now surpassing pre-pandemic levels. In 2024, a total of 8,237,072 tourists stayed in hotels across the state—an impressive 28.9% increase compared to the 6,389,996 recorded in 2019. Cruise tourism remains a significant pillar in Penang’s tourism landscape.
“Our Swettenham Pier terminal continues to welcome cruise ships, large and small, bringing in visitors who infuse our local economy with vibrant energy—from food stalls to heritage sites to duty-free outlets. Swettenham Pier is one of the few city ports in this region, allowing passengers to disembark right into the heart of George Town. The pier completed its major expansion two years ago, and we are already seeing its positive impact,” added Wong.
He also expressed his gratitude to YB Minister Anthony Loke and the Ministry of Transport, as well as the Federal Government, for their strong support in delivering key infrastructure improvements that will empower Penang’s tourism future. This includes the Penang International Airport expansion, the much-anticipated LRT project, and the Penang Hill cable car system will all enhance how tourists move, explore, and engage with the state.
A host of speakers and cruise industry experts shared their vision and experience at the gathering.