Penang woos China tourists

Looking to shore up its tourism industry, Penang is working to tap the vast potential offered by a lucrative Chinese market, particularly in the economically thriving southern belt.

A 50-person delegation led by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (pix) is promoting Penang in the city of Guangzhou (formerly Canton) from Wednesday till tomorrow.

“There is a need to expand Penang’s presence in the critical Chinese tourism market if Penang wants to transform itself into a destination of choice for tourists,” said Lim’s press secretary Cheong Yin Fan in a statement today.

“Without the Chinese tourism market, it would be difficult to achieve Penang’s aspirations of relying on more than 50% of its GDP on tourism and services sector,” she said.

The delegation comprises members from Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta), Penang Peranakan Mansion, Real Estate and Housing Developers Association (Rehda), and the Malaysian Association of Hotels and Budget Hotel Association.

They will attend the China (Guangzhou) International Tourism Industry Expo 2011 from tomorrow till Monday. Over 30 countries, including Malaysia, are taking part in the expo, which features over 1,000 booths.

The state tourism development and culture office will promote Penang together with Tourism Malaysia at the Malaysia-Penang Pavilion.

Lim will also lead the Penang delegation in paying a courtesy call on the Mayor of Zhong San and other leaders of Guangzhou province to establish goodwill and friendship.

Lim is accompanied by his wife Betty Chew and state executive councillors Danny Law and Lim Hock Seng.

Penang is promoting in China its cuisines, seascapes, natural hills, and the Unesco-listed World Heritage City in George Town, which offers a certain familiarity in culture and language to Chinese tourists, Cheong said.

Source - thesundaily.my