To reduce the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Penang Government has set up a Penang Tourism Economy Recovery Advisory Board (PETERAB).

Yeoh Soon Hin, Chairman of the Committee on State Tourism, Arts, Cultures, and Heritage, said the advisory board will push ahead with efforts through policy recommendations to speed up recovery, promote jobs and economies and raise tourism receipts and Foreign direct investment.

“The process of re-opening and recovering tourism would be a competitive process, thus the advisory board will be working alongside Tourism Penang Next Normal Taskforce.

“At the same time PETERAB will serve to propose economic considerations and financial actions aimed at restoring Penang tourism as an economic powerhouse, while Tourism Penang Next Normal Taskforce guides the transition towards the ‘next norm’ to ensure enhanced safety and security of tourists and employees,” said Yeoh in a statement.

He added that PETERAB will also analyze the quantitative and qualitative impacts of COVID-19 on tourism and prepare recommendations for economic recovery, formulate sustainable and innovative circular strategies for the recovery of tourism by strengthening ties through the tourism value chain.

“Five prominent individuals selected to serve the advisory board are based on their experiences and expertise in travel and tourism industries, namely Datuk Hamzah Rahmat, Datuk Seri V.R. Arunasalam, Datuk Syed Mohamad Aidid Syed Murtaza, Datuk Danny Goon, and Prof Dr Lean Hooi Hooi,”