By V. Sivaji
The MITM Travel Fair kicked off at the Spice Arena showcasing a myriad of travel and holiday options for members of the public.
The fair has attracted participants from the travel agents sector, airlines, cruise industry, hoteliers and also foreign travel organisations.
Among them were participants from Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Australia too. The official airlines for the fair is the China Southern Airlines.
Present to launch the event was State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy YB Wong Hon Wai who was accompanied by organising chairman Edwin Tan and his committee.
In his opening address, Wong hailed the vibrant tourism sector in Penang which has attracted numerous airlines and cruise ships to Penang.
“The MITM Travel Fair is the largest international travel fair in Northern Malaysia. Penang has now garnered international recognition by various organisations.
“The importance of extensive international flight routes for the tourism industry cannot be overlooked. To-date Penang is having direct flights from 16 international cities. Among them are Guangzhou, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, Phuket, Medan, Jakarta, Surabaya, Banda Aceh, Taiper, Ho Chi Minh, Doha, Shanghai and Haikou.
“Many new international hotels are also coming up in the city followed by several convention centres for MICE events”, said Wong.
He later joined hands with VIP guests and the organising committee to perform the launch gimmick.
Wong later toured the booths to take a first hand look at the many holiday packages being promoted.
Other present were the Northern Region Tourism Malaysia Director, Shahrul Aman Sabir Ahmad, Cynthia Tan, MCTA deputy president, Dr Annuar Mohamed Penang director for MOTAC, MAH Penang chairman Dato Tony Goh, Ooi Chok Yan, PGT chief executive officer, Ms Carolyn Leong Penang MATTA chairman among other tourism industry players.
There are 250 booths at the fair and it ends tomorrow Sunday July 14 at 10pm.
