Penang Tourism Exco YB Wong Hon Wai led a delegation to Indonesia to Promote the “Not the Penang You Know” campaign recently.
Accompanying Wong on the trip was YB Joseph Ng Soon Siang, State Assemblyman for Air Itam; Ooi Chok Yan, Chief Executive Officer of Penang Global Tourism (PGT); Ms. Pauline Suharno, President of the Indonesian Travel Agents Association (ASTINDO); Ms. Roasalina Abdul Rahim, Director of Tourism Malaysia for Sumatera Market; Ms. Tengku Feria, Chairperson of ASTINDO North Sumatra; Hairi Mohd Yakzan, Director of Tourism Malaysia in Jakarta; as well as numerous Penang industry stakeholders
The initiative is to further deepen the tourism cooperation between Penang and Indonesia, and to attract more visitors to the state.
The 20 member team delegation included tourism industry players – including representatives from hotels, travel agencies, healthcare institutions and attractions operators to Medan and Jakarta. The two destinations are Penang’s most important markets for medical tourism.
“This roadshow was held in both Medan and Jakarta, two cities with the most frequent direct flights to Penang. Notably, the flight between Medan and Penang takes only about 40 minutes – even shorter than the flight from Penang to Kuala Lumpur. This proximity has made Penang a long-time favorite destination among Indonesian travelers, cementing its place as one of their top choices for outbound travel.
“According to the statistics of the first half of 2025 (January – June), the number of Indonesian visitors arriving in Penang via direct international flights reached 192,823, reflecting a 2% increase compared to 188,905 in the same period of 2024. This not only highlights the enduring appeal of Penang to Indonesian travelers but also reaffirms Penang’s strong competitiveness as a regional tourism hub. If we also take into account those who arrived via Kuala Lumpur transit, the total number of Indonesian visitors to Penang would be even more substantial. Hence, continuously deepening our engagement with Indonesia, Penang’s closest neighbor and key market, is crucial for the sustainable growth of our tourism industry,” he said.
He also added that the perception of Penang among Indonesian tourists and travel intermediaries should not be confined solely to medical tourism.
“Instead, it should transcend this narrow view and encompass a broader, more diverse perspective. Beyond its excellent healthcare facilities, Penang offers a kaleidoscope of experiences that are equally captivating.” he added.
White on the trip Wong also paid a courtesy visit to Medan Mayor Rico Waas since Medan became Penang’s second sister city on 10 October 1984.
“Penang and Indonesia have always enjoyed close ties. Penang has the Consulate-General of Indonesia, which assists Indonesians in the state in areas such as tourism, business, education, and daily life. Medan, in particular, plays a pivotal role. As of June 2025, there are 31 weekly direct flights between Medan and Penang – averaging more than 4 flights per day. This underscores Medan’s vital importance to Penang’s tourism landscape.”
Meanwhile, while in Jakarta, Wong also visited the Tzu Chi Hospital and met with Suriadi Huang, the Chief Operating Officer of Buddha Tzu Chi Indonesia.
“The Tzu Chi Hospital broke ground in 2015 and officially opened on 1st October 2021. Built on a 2.68-hectare site, the hospital boasts 23 floors, 576 beds, and state-of-the-art facilities,” he noted.
The Penang delegation held in-depth discussions with Tzu Chi Hospital on the development of Buddhist charitable healthcare in Indonesia, its challenges, and the opportunities it presents.