By V. Sivaji
Penang heralds the return of the tourism industry on a high note as the overwhelming statistics shows that they are on the up-trend.
State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy YB Yeoh Soon Hin shared that the Penang International Airport (PIA) has seen an exponential increase in international flights from 10 weekly in November 2021 to 184 weekly flights in December 2022.
This works out to a whopping 1,740%. The gathering was held at The George Penang.
“Another positive figure is the arrival of international passengers which rose from 7,367 for the year 2021 to 629,476 in 2022 making it a significant increase of 8,445%.
“The recovery rate is extremely pleasing when we compare the current numbers to 2019 which is the pre pandemic year. The total passenger movement at PIA in the year 2022 has reached 4,242,997 compared to 8,331,048 in 2019 making it a solid 50.93% recovery rate when the borders were opened for only nine months in 2022,” said Yeoh.
He also added that despite differences between the then state and federal governments, the state agencies in Penang have worked together with Tourism Malaysia Penang office comfortably for the benefit of the industry.
“The up surge in tourism has also helped the state’s economy. However, we are mindful of the traffic situation on the island and are engaging with the federal government on the Penang Master Plan and LRT projects,” added Yeoh.
Lending support was Penang Global Tourism (PGT) chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan and Tourism Malaysia Northern deputy director, Siti Hajar.
Also present was Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH Penang chapter) chairman Tony Goh, Malaysian Tour and Travel Agents Association Penang (MATTA) chairman Vergis Mathews and his deputy Carolyn Leong, Penang Hoteliers Association chairman Dato Lim Mee Lee, PIA senior airport manager, Mohd Nadzim Hashim, Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association chairman Penang chapter, Edwin Tan, Malaysia Budget Hotel Association Penang chapter chairman, Andy Lau, airasia Penang director, Ken Tan, Penang Tourists Guides Association president, Clement Liang among others.
