By V. Sivaji
For the very first time, the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) flew in reporters from Penang to Chennai, India this week.
PCEB CEO Ashwin Gunasekeran, the trip is to reciprocate the visit of several media members from Chennai to Penang earlier this year.
“We also want to promote places of interest and tourist sites here to Indians and Malaysians too. This will help promote tourism both ways.
“The Penang based media members from various print and electronic media had the opportunity to visit Mahabalipuram’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, handicraft centres, enjoy local food fare and were put up at the Westin Velachery,” Ashwin said on the sidelines of the visit taking place from March 3 to 6.
The same group of reporters from Penang were hosted at the luxury Kaldan Samudhra Palace, a beachfront property at Mahabalipuram.
“Other programmes for our media include the Chennai City tour, press conferences and Kapaleeshwarar Temple and the Santhome Church,” Ashwin said.
Earlier on Monday, the Penang-based reporters, including Penang Hyperlocal, made a stop at Creative Sculptures shop where workers were busy carving idols and statues out of granite stone.
While some of these sculptures are sent to temples and private homes here, other are also exported all over the world.
Standing out of the plume of dust from all the sanding of stones was Peter Brown, 56, from the United Kingdom.
“I came here on my winter break to work on various carvings here. Presently, I am working on a bust of Lord Buddha and hope to complete it very soon,” he said.
More interestingly, Brown actually pays the owner of the factory to use the equipment to work on his works.
“I am already retired and stone carving is my passion, that is why me and my friends are here,” he added.
Media members will also visit the famous AVM Studios (South Indian version of Hollywood) to get a first hand feel and look at the production of Kollywood movies.
Also on the itinerary is a visit to the popular Kanchipuram Silk Sarees production factory before returning home on the morning of March 6th, 2025.
The splendid team from Madura Travel Service (P) Ltd led by its managing director Sriharan Balan who are among the pioneers in the industry handled the sight seeing and transport.