Penang State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy, YB Wong Hon Wai, was recently honoured with the Outstanding State Tourism Leader – Penang 2025 award at the Asian Tourism & Hospitality Awards 2025–26.
The recognition reflects Wong’s outstanding leadership and significant contributions towards elevating Penang’s tourism industry on both regional and international fronts.
Under his stewardship, Penang has continued to strengthen its position as one of Asia’s leading tourism destinations through aggressive tourism promotion, the expansion of medical tourism initiatives, and successful efforts in attracting new international airline routes to the state.
In addition, Wong has played a pivotal role in enhancing Penang’s business events ecosystem, supporting sustainable tourism growth, strengthening public-private collaboration and driving initiatives that further position Penang as a premier destination for leisure, culture, and MICE tourism.
The award was received on Wong’s behalf by Ashwin Gunasekeran, Chief Executive Officer of the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB).
Also present at the ceremony were Datin Barathi, General Manager of Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI), alongside members of the PCEB team.
The evening also marked another proud achievement for Penang, as Ashwin Gunasekeran himself was presented with the International Business Events Leadership Award 2025 in recognition of a decade of transformational leadership and impactful contributions to the business events industry.
Ashwin has been instrumental in positioning Penang as a preferred destination for international conventions, exhibitions, and MICE events, contributing significantly to the state’s growing reputation within the global business events sector.
The occasion was made even more meaningful as several of Penang’s industry partners gathered to celebrate the achievements together, with a number of local hospitality and tourism leaders also receiving recognition for excellence in their respective fields.