By V. Sivaji
The Penang International Travel Exchange (PITE) attracted participants from 19 countries along with top-notch local players which included B2B sessions, site inspections and local tours.
The gathering from November 7 to 9, 2023 is held at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre.
Guest-of-honour was State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy YB Wong Hon Wai accompanied Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau chief executive officer, Ashwin Gunasekeran.
Also present was Datin S Barathi, general manager of Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI), Pn Siti Hajar, Tourism Malaysia’s deputy Northern Region director, Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang Chapter chairman Dato Tony Goh among others.
The international buyers were from Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Germany, Latvia, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
“The importance of PITE 2023 cannot be overstated. In today’s rapidly evolving world, the travel and tourism industry is poised at a unique juncture.
“It is not just about the places we visit, but how we get there and the experience we encounter along the way.,” said Wrong in his opening remarks.
He further shared the new airline connections to Penang such as the Xiamen Airlines and the Qatar Airlines which has allowed Penang to serve as a pivotal hub for global travelers.
“These direct connections are a testament to our dedication to the growth and development of Penang’s travel and tourism industry,” he added.
He later joined hands with other VIP guests to launch the PITE 2023 ceremony.
B2B session
Meanwhile, Ashwin said that PITE 2023 supported by PCEB is set to return with even more grandeur as it embarks on its 6th edition.
“Launched in 2018, PITE has consistently strived to enhance Penang’s position on the global stage.
“It also serves as a homegrown platform for travel trade professionals to forge valuable connections and explore the unique allure of Penang as a thriving business events and travel destination,” said Ashwin.
During the press conference, Ashwin also shared that PITE is a 10-year plan to grow the number of quality participants and international buyers despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
Participants at PITE 2023 will also have the opportunity to embark on familiarization trips to Penang’s latest attractions, ensuring a comprehensive and immersive experience of everything this vibrant destination has to offer.
