Penang on Berlin Tourism Event

BERLIN, March 24 (Bernama) — The ‘greatest tourism show on earth’, as the ongoing Berlin’s International Tourism Bourse (ITB) is touted, has become the setting for a number of states in Malaysia at the gigantic Malaysia pavilion.

Penang is one such state, making a strong pitch as a tourism destination here by highlighting its heritage sites, its spicy and diverse cuisine and also medical tourism which the state hopes will lure more tourists in the future.

Penang Global Tourism Sdn. Bhd managing director Ooi Geok Ling said that she was networking at the ITB with tour operators, travel agents and other players engaged in the promotion of travel and tourism.

“I am here to promote Penang as a destination as part of the rebranding exercise. Penang like Singapore is an island but, unlike Singapore, Penang is a beach island. We offer sun and sea, clear blue pristine skies and a diverse cuisine that reflects the Malay, Indian and Chinese culinary cultures,” she said in an interview with Bernama at the Malaysia pavilion at the ITB.

This was the 36th time Malaysia participated in the annual tourism exhibition.

HERITAGE SITES PITCHED

“We are pitching here for our heritage sites. We have a ‘living’ heritage reflected in the melting pot of races and their cultural trappings. Food is one of the attractions of Penang. Tourism provides direct and indirect employment, and is a source of livelihood for many self-dependent people,” Ooi said.

Tourism, she stressed, was the second most important source of revenue after manufacturing for Penang.

“Indeed, tourism is the second largest contributor to the state’s GDP,” she maintained.

Penang attracts tourist, primarily, from the UK, Germany and Scandinavia but there is heavy traffic also from countries in its geographical proximity such as Singapore, China, Indonesia, Thailand, the Gulf, etc.

Penang, according to Ooi, was expecting more than half a million visitors coming directly from Hong Kong, Macau, southern region of China, Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta, etc.

“We have direct air connections with these cities and countries.

“Also, Penang will be linked to Chennai in India and Bali in Indonesia by Air Asia which will launch its maiden service to both destinations in the near future,” she said.

During 2009, Malaysia saw a total of 23,546,863 tourist arrivals compared to 22,052,488 in 2008, indicating an increase of 7.2 percent.

The European market has proven to be a strong and viable source of tourists for Malaysia. It is the second largest contributor to visitor arrivals after Asia. For 2009, Malaysia registered 1,150,594 visitors from Europe with a 13.8 per cent growth compared to the previous year (2008).

PENANG WANTS TO EMERGE LEADER IN MICE EVENTS

After successfully hosting the massive AMWAY India Leadership 2009 event in Penang, the state is now aggressively marketing itself as a prime venue for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) events.

Ooi said that one of the most interesting heritage spots in Penang was the Street of Harmony which depicts today’s idea of 1Malaysia, although the street has existed since the last 200 years.

“We had this harmonious co-existence of various races two centuries ago. The street also reflects the true Southeast Asian character. It also has all the religious places close to the heart of people of various religions,” she pointed out.

The ITB event is a barometer for the trends in the tourism and travel trade that passed through its worst crisis following the global economic downturn which plumetted demand in the sector.

Nevertheless, like many Malaysian exhibitors at the show were saying, there were some “positive signs” discernible at the show.

MIXED SIGNS OF RECOVERY

Eric R. Sinnaya, the managing director of Langkawi-based Morahols Travels Sdn. Bhd. and a veteran of the ITB show, discerned “mixed signals” at the show. While he did feel some good vibes, he thought that full recovery would take some more time.

“Nobody can say yet with 100 percent certainty that the recession has finally bottomed out. But there are, naturally, also good signs to suggest that this year’s show is better than the last one,” Sinnaya told Bernama.

Sinnaya’s business comes mainly from France, Germany, Italy, etc. and he caters mainly to the incentive segment, providing a mix of culture, cuisine, laughter Yoga tourism, eco-tourism, etc.

“I am also looking increasingly at the Asian markets, given that the Asian continent is doing economically far better than other regions of the world. I am also trying to cut the costs resulting from the involvement of middlemen, and going directly to sellers. The saving in costs can thus be passed on to the end consumers,” he explained.

Malaysia, he said, is a good brand but “more needs to be done” through aggressive marketing and public relations to create an awareness for this outstanding product.

“After all, Malaysia used to be more attractive than Thailand at one time in the past. But we were overtaken by other destinations through aggressive marketing and branding, using private sector involvement and exploiting their strengths by working together,” he add

HAPA Awards for G Spot Lounge and G Hotel

It received one of the Top Five Best Design Concept (Hotel/Resort) awards while three of its food and beverage outlets were also honoured. Popular Pan Asian Chinese restaurant Sesame & Soy, won the Top 10 Hapa Gastronomic Experience in Asian Cuisine.

G Cafe bagged the award for the Top 10 Hapa All-Day Dining 2008-10 and Jazz Bar and Lounge, G Spot, won the award for the Top 10 Hapa Best Night Spot 2008-10.

G Hotel’s success came in the footsteps of its recognition by the International Real Estate Federation (Fiabci) in the best 2008 Hotel Development category at the Malaysia

Property Award.

“G Hotel offers a totally different experience. We take great care to ensure that guests’ needs are well delivered, from the custom-designed furniture, thoughtful amenities to reliable and personalised service,” said hotel general manager Marco Giovanni Battistotti who won Top Five Hapa Most Dynamic General Manager 2008-2010. He is also the current chairman of Malaysia Association of Hotels Penang Chapter.

G Hotel, located at Penang’s Gurney Drive, offers a five-star contemporary hotel experience that pushes the concept of accommodation beyond ordinary comfort. It is an artistic hub in itself, steeped in modern design, total relaxation, style and individuality.

For details, call 04-238 0000 or go to www.ghotel.com.my

A Weekend Escape at Skool Daze

Don’t miss ‘A Weekend Escape at Skool Daze’ with Dj G, Dj Nisha, Dj JD & Dj Dilly on Saturday, 27th March at g Hotel’s poolside, level 2 from 7pm to 1am.

Here’s your chance to party with Dj Nisha, Dj JD, and Dj Dilly from Red FM and they will be bringing you the Earth Hour Countdown from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.

What are you waiting for? Dress to get wet at the most happening party of the month! Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Road to Penang Jazz Festival 2010

Join a night with Natasha Patamapongs on Saturday, 3rd April 2010 at the g Spot. Natasha is a US-born young jazz singer from Bangkok, Thailand.

She is the lead singer, producer, and band leader of Mellow Motif. She has been fronting the Thailand-based jazz band and getting their name on to CNN Asia’s Hot List “Top 20 People to Watch”.

Her signature crystal clear voice with a warm and soothing tone has enabled her to transcend esoteric jazz audiences and reach crossover mainstream appeal.

Natasha is a truly gifted interpreter of jazz standards, and her unique delivery of the music will sure to make your listening experience a wonderfully pleasant one.

Joining on stage Malaysia’s most sought after Jazz Musicians. Wilson Quah on the Piano- Gary Joseph Gideon on the Drums- Abd. Mutallib. Percussions and Jonathan Chen on the Bass.

A must see performance by the multi talented singer ‘Natasha’ and the ‘Wilson Quah Trio’.

Easter Buffet

The Easter bunnies are returning to their favorite brunch place at the happening G Hotel.
Come and join this lunch buffet with your family.

Sundowner at The Pool

Grab your friends to dance and party at Sundowner at The Pool only at G Hotel…

Penang Hill funicular train would make its last trip today

GEORGE TOWN (Feb 21, 2010) : Foreign and local visitors were surprised to hear that the iconic 87-year old Penang Hill funicular train would make its last trip today, and would be replaced with a new train system. College students Tan Soo Ni and her friend Quah Sui Pheng were shocked to find out the train system will be closed for seven months beginning today (Feb22). “We woke up early morning to so that we can get tickets to go up Penang Hill,” said Tan, 19, who lives in Bukit Mertajam. “We will keep the ticket stubs as mementos,” she said.

Engineer Yousuf Al Naabi, 27, from Muscat, Oman, who is visiting Penang for the first time, said he was fortunate to ride on the train today. University undergraduate Mohd Nazrin Mohd Pauzi, 20, did not know that his ride up Penang Hill with his friends from Terengganu would be his first and last on the funicular train.

 ”I did not know work on replacing the train system would start tomorrow,” he said. The Penang Hill Funicular Railway was built in 1907 and is a cable train pulled by steel cable electrically driven with 500 volts power. Penang Public Works, Utilities and Transport Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng reportedly said recently that the new train system would take 10 minutes to ferry passengers from bottom station to top station, without needing to stop at the middle station, compared with the current 30-minute ride.

He added the new system would combine the two tracks into one and a new passing loop would be built about 100m above the present middle station. Lim said Penang Hill residents and hotel operators would operate a jeep service up the hill from the Botanical Gardens during the closure. The RM63 million project is undertaken by the Tourism Ministry and is expected to be ready by the end of the year.