By V. Sivaji
The 2nd leg of the QNET’s V-Malaysia 2024 conference is back from today till September 16, 2024.
Themed “Unstoppable”, the event is set to be a catalyst to boost Penang’s economy and global standing.
In all, some 9,000 delegates from 30 countries are attending the gathering held at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre here.
They are from the Middle East, India, Morocco, Russia, Europe, Middle East, Africa among other countries.
Present to launch the Business Networking Session held at the Amari SPICE Penang earlier today was State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy YB Wong Hon Wai.
He was greeted by Ms Puspalatha Balan, QNET;s chief of regional operations and Naresh Balasubramaniam, chief executive officer of V Global management.
Also present was Shahrul Aman Sabir Ahmad, Northern region director for Tourism Malaysia and his team.
The convention is supported by Tourism Malaysia to enhance Malaysia’s reputation as a preferred destination for international meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE).
“Since first hosting the V-Malaysia convention in 2008, Penang has seen a significant surge in tourism and international recognition. The vibrant life and commerce that QNET brings with each event have been instrumental in this growth.
“Penang’s economy has experienced substantial growth driven by a resurgence in the tourism sector, recording nearly seven million passenger movements in 2023—a 64.5% increase compared to the previous year. This can be seen the increased demand for local hospitality services which hotels, restaurants, and transportation “
“When companies like QNET have repeated large scale events, it leads to the creation of temporary and permanent jobs in various sectors, particularly in hospitality, tourism, and event management. This helps the local economy tremendously”, added Wong.
Meanwhile, QNET’s Chief of Regional Operations, Pushpalatha Balan, highlighted that “V-Malaysia is not just a convention; it’s a platform for driving business excellence and sustainability. By introducing new sustainable product lines, we aim to meet customer needs while promoting a greener future”, she added.
The convention will showcase QNET’s Watch and Jewellery brand Bernhard H. Mayer’s Serendipity Collection, featuring jewellery made from sustainable materials and the Limited-Edition Wave Rider watch, highlighting QNET’s commitment to sustainable luxury.
Tourism Malaysia also shared that presently, Singapore, Indonesia, China, India and Vietnam make up the top tourist arrivals to the country. In view of Visit Malaysia Year 2026, Tourism Malaysia is collaborating with various airlines and tourism related bodies to promote the event.,
The event’s comprehensive agenda includes business training sessions, motivational speeches, and product exhibitions, providing attendees with invaluable opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The collaboration with Tourism Malaysia highlights the strategic importance of such events in promoting Malaysia’s unique blend of business and leisure tourism.
