With the impending international borders reopening with effect April 1, 2022 after a long hiatus, the Pacific Asia Travel Association – PATA (Malaysia Chapter) is hosting the inaugural Tourism Reconnect event at the Royale Chulan Penang.
The gathering is themed “The Next Episode-Change Ready,” Co-organized by Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB).
The three-day event is being held from March 23rd till March 26th, 2022.
Some 200 delegates from all over Malaysia and other Asian countries attended both in person and virtual, together with 23 speakers.
The official launching ceremony was presided by State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy, YB Yeoh Soon Hin accompanied by Datuk Musa Yusof, Chairman, PATA Malaysia Chapter and the chief executive officer of Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau (PCEB), Ashwin Gunasekeran.
The keynote address was delivered by Dato’ Seri Wong Siew Hai, President of Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association.
This Tourism Reconnect is primarily intended to provide a platform for Malaysian travel trade participants from the PMC membership and other relevant industry partners to meet and network with local tourism players from the Northern Region, including participants from PATA global chapters, with the ultimate goal of exploring the enhanced business opportunities.
Ashwin said that this innovative collaboration will bring new travel ideas in developing strategic
collaborations and partnerships with industry partners which will accelerate our visions and goals to make our destination a preferred travel hub.
The goal of exploring and expanding commercial prospects such as hospitality, travel and
local recreation under the new normal.
In his address Yeoh said that all supporting partners from the tourism fraternity equally play a significant role in activating the travel sectors again in order to boost demand for the
destination through new market reach, creative marketing and packaging.
“In terms of financial assistance, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) has relaxed the license conditions for travel agencies, compound-related relaxation, and fee exemption to travel agencies and tour guides.
“For this year, the government has allocated RM230 million to MOTAC under budget 2022, allowing the ministry and its agencies to continue reinvigorating the tourism industry as we move forward to the endemic phase,” said Datuk Musa.
Meanwhile Ashwin also added that the acceleration of the digital transformation of most tourism businesses has seen a rapid uptake during this pandemic which clearly proves the resilience of the tourism sector.
“Although such is the case, the yearning for physical events has never halted. This crisis
strengthened our bonds, with industry associations, suppliers, destinations, venues, convention bureaus, and others joining forces to face the problems; as a result, this innovative collaboration will bring new ideas in developing strategic collaborations and partnerships within the industry which will accelerate our vision and goals in making our destination a preferred travel hub once again,” added Ashwin.
Delegates will also have the opportunity to experience some of Penang’s prominent sites such as Penang Hill, The Habitat and the heritage precinct of Georgetown on a trishaw ride. The event is supported by The Penang State Government, Penang State Exco Office for Tourism and Creative Economy (PETACE), Tourism Malaysia and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Global.
Also present was Datuk Seri Mirza Mohammad Taiyab, former director general of Tourism Malaysia, MOTAC Penang director Jonathan Freddy Bagang, Shahrin Mokhtar, Director Advertising & Digital TM, Tourism Malaysia Penang deputy director Siti Hajar along with panelist like Dr Ruth Sabrina and Dato Aruldas Arulandu (MD Tourland Travel) among others.
The strategic airline partners were Malaysian Airlines Berhad and Firefly Sdn Bhd.
