7.46% increase in Penang airport arrivals this year, says Chow

FMT:

 

7.46% increase in Penang

airport arrivals this year,

says Chow

Carolyn K

-28 Dec 2024, 02:49 PM

Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow says the state government is expecting a surge in tourists from China and India next year.

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Loong Air’s direct flight from Xi’an to Penang from Dec 30 will mark the Penang International Airport’s 36th international flight route. (Bernama pic)

GEORGE TOWN: 

The Penang International Airport recorded 6.18 million arrivals from January to October, marking a 7.46% increase compared with the same period last year.

Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government is encouraged by the visa exemptions granted to visitors from the two major tourist markets – India and China.

“We anticipate an increase in tourists from these countries from next year,” he said.

State tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said Penang is connected by 35 international direct flight routes operated by major airlines.

He said these flights link Penang to 19 global destinations such as Shanghai, Dubai, Bangkok, Jakarta and Chennai.

Wong also said the launch of Loong Air’s direct flight from Xi’an to Penang from Dec 30 will mark PIA’s 36th international flight route.

More hotel rooms needed

According to Chow, Penang needs more hotel rooms to facilitate the expected increase in tourists as the state’s tourism and hospitality industries have fully recovered from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said Penang lacked hotel rooms, notably during big events and festive seasons.

“We currently have about 12,000 rooms in the state, but we  need more rooms, especially in Seberang Perai,” he said.

He said the Penang Development Corporation has plans to offer hotel accommodation.

However, he also expressed hope that the private sector would invest in the hospitality sector, motivated by attractive figures, numerous infrastructure projects, appealing tourist destinations, and “the best food in the world”.

Malaysian Association of Hotels vice-president Khoo Boo Lim said while the association welcomes the development of properties in the tourism industry, hotel owners must also consider occupancies during low-peak periods and not only peak periods.

“What we need to do is to fill the rooms during the off-peak periods and not rely on peak periods only,” he said.

He said the state government also needs to continue monitoring short-term-rental-accommodations and unlicensed hotels.