Malaysia's Penang island attracts more Indian tourists and corporates

By TIN Media | India Published 4 years ago on 1 October 2019
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PENANG:

 

Despite the absence of direct flights and transportation issues, Malaysia’ Penang Island is seeing an overall increased flow of Indian travellers, according to a top tourism official. There’s 10.37 per cent increase overall despite there not being direct flights between Penang and India, he added.

India is one of the top five markets for business events in Penang, and over the past year, event planners and conference organisers have shown encouraging interest.

Ashwin Gunasekeran, Chief Executive Officer, Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB), told the media "The number of Indian travellers flying into Penang has also increased in recent years. The Penang Immigration Department reported that for the period between January to November 2018, 7,250 Indian travellers flew into Penang, compared to 6,569 in the same period in 2017,"

Gunasekeran said, “In an attempt to attract Indian corporates and others to hold their meetings, conferences and exhibitions in Penang, the PCEB is offering support packages ranging from sponsorship of souvenirs and welcome luncheon for the organisers valued at 2,000 ringgit (for confirmed meetings/conferences of 50 to 100 delegates) to hosted site inspections, welcome luncheon for organisers, cultural performances and souvenirs valued at 15,000 ringgit (for incentive groups of 501 delegates and above). According to Gunasekeran, the average period stays in Penang by an Indian leisure traveller is about three days.

He also added that Penang is not only restricted as a corporate and MICE Destination, but Penang also hosts a major medical tourism centre and is gradually turning into a retirement destination for the wealthy people from across the nation.

He said the island-city is an also a  family destination and is home for people having roots in India (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Punjab and other states), China and also for the native Malaysians.


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