Following the successful completion of the “Not The Penang That You Know” roadshow in Tokyo, Penang State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy, Wong Hon Wai, once again led the Penang tourism industry players delegation, westward to Osaka to host the next session of the same roadshow series.
“This initiative aims to tap into the Kansai market. By covering both of Japan’s key economic regions – Greater Tokyo and Kansai, we can achieve deeper penetration into the world’s fourth-largest economy. At the same time, it enhances the recognition, influence, and visibility of Penang’s tourism offerings among potential Japanese visitors. We aim to further expand and develop Penang’s tourism industry by leveraging the enormous potential of the Japanese market.”
“The Osaka session of the ‘Not The Penang That You Know’ roadshow marks the Penang state government’s first tourism promotion activity in Osaka in recent years, serving as a milestone for Penang’s tourism industry in entering the Kansai market. Through this roadshow, the state government hopes to establish connections with local tourism operators, lay the groundwork for future collaborations, and ultimately attract more tourists from Japan’s Kansai region to Penang.” he shared.
Meanwhile, during the B2B sessions at the Osaka roadshow, Penang tourism industry representatives engaged extensively with local counterparts, expanding networks between Osaka and Penang, building exchange platforms, opening new avenues for cooperation, and laying the foundation for future partnerships.
“Japan has a total population of approximately 123.8 million, with over 20 million residing in the Kansai region alone; Osaka Prefecture accounts for about 8.8 million. This large population base and market potential cannot be underestimated. Kansai has long been one of Japan’s key economic hubs, concentrating human, logistics, and capital flows. Although there are currently no direct flights from Osaka to Penang, numerous options with just one transit are available, making travel relatively convenient. Therefore, promoting Penang to Osaka and the wider Kansai tourism market holds great potential and promising prospects.”
“Penang is both accessible and welcoming for Japanese tourists. With numerous Japanese restaurants, visitors will not feel homesick during their stay. Moreover, Penang maintains close ties with Japan in business, education, and culture: the state hosts about 70 Japanese multinational companies; it is home to the Penang Japanese School; and, with strong government support, annually organizes cultural events such as the Bon Odori, Yosakoi Parade, and Penang Aki Matsuri, with Bon Odori and Yosakoi Parade being the largest of their kind outside Japan. People-to People connections between Penang and Japan are frequent, including business travelers, students, and tourists alike.” added Wong.
He added that the state government organized the Osaka roadshow of the ‘Not The Penang That You Know’ to showcase Penang’s tourism offerings to the Kansai market, aiming to elevate the recognition and visibility of Penang as a renowned tourist destination in Japan’s Kansai region.
“The Japan Association of Travel Agents – Kansai Secretariat attended the roadshow. I provided detailed briefings on Penang’s diverse tourism resources to major tourism operators across Kansai, including historic sites, Penang Hill, beaches, and local street food. We hope to inspire Japanese tour operators, particularly travel agencies, to design tailored tourism packages for visitors to Penang. The state government provides complete information and acts as a bridge, introducing relevant Penang tourism industry players to Japanese partners, ensuring smoother and more efficient promotion and operations.” Wong added.
In addition, Wong Hon Wai led the Penang Global Tourism delegation to Peach Aviation’s headquarters in Osaka for an in-depth exchange with its management.
“During the meeting, we discussed Peach Aviation’s strategic plans and route network in Southeast Asia, and explored operational needs and potential expansion for direct flights between Japan and Malaysia. This engagement establishes good contact between the Penang state government and Peach Aviation, paving the way for potential future collaborations.”
“It is worth noting that the six-month-long 2025 Osaka World Expo is approaching its conclusion in mid-October, having attracted over 20 million visitors.
Among those who attended the roadshow in Osaka was Yukihiro Kimura, Secretary General of Japan Association of Travel Agents – Kansai Secretariat; Ooi Chok Yan, CEO of Penang Global Tourism; Ms. Syaliza ABD Aziz, Director of Tourism Malaysia in Tokyo; Mohd Fahmi Nordin, Deputy Director of Tourism Malaysia in Tokyo; Clement Liang, President of Penang Tourist Guides Association and various Penang tourism industry representatives.