Penang: Penang Global Tourism (PGT) is forging promotional partnerships with airlines and travel agencies in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and Oman to tap into the West Asian tourism market. State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai highlighted the initiative, which includes participating in international tourism exhibitions, such as the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, to showcase Penang's tourism products and packages.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, flights from Penang to two cities in West Asia, namely Doha in Qatar via Qatar Airways and Dubai via Flydubai, have been launched in the past two years to cater to the West Asian tourism market. Additionally, PGT has intensified digital promotional campaigns tailored to the needs of West Asian tourists, focusing on Muslim-friendly accommodation, halal food, family facilities, and health and luxury lifestyle offerings.
Wong elaborated on the measures during the Penang State Legislative Assembly sitting, responding to a query from Bukhori Ghazali (PN-Penang Tunggal) about the state government's strategy to explore the West Asian tourism market. He mentioned translating promotional content into Arabic and distributing it through social media platforms and prominent travel portals in the region as part of the outreach.
To further attract tourists, Wong noted that Penang is enhancing its health tourism segment by promoting internationally accredited hospitals that provide specialist services and comprehensive health check-up packages. Meanwhile, he reported a remarkable 520.2 percent increase in tourist arrivals from China between January and September this year, making China the state's fastest-growing tourist market.
Wong stated that Chinese tourist arrivals surged from 26,056 in 2023 to 161,599 in 2025, positioning China as the second-largest source of international arrivals at Penang International Airport. Indonesia remained the top contributor with 284,364 arrivals, marking a 12.3 percent rise from 2023.
He also emphasized the implementation of strategic measures to position Penang as a regional gastronomic hub, showcasing the island's culinary diversity and food heritage. Key initiatives include the Penang International Food Festival (PIFF), an annual event that gathers local food entrepreneurs, popular chefs, and industry players to highlight Penang's distinctive culinary offerings.
Furthermore, Wong mentioned Penang's inclusion in the MICHELIN Guide Malaysia, featuring its restaurants and hawkers, and the nomination of ten traditional Penang dishes to the National Heritage Department, which has bolstered the state's standing as a world-class gastronomic destination.