THE Penang Government is discussing with local tourism-related industries and agencies ways to boost their tourism packages to lure tourists to the island in view of the economic downturn.

Among the extra packages being considered are cultural events, food promotions and other niche products like Malaysia My Second Home Programme (MY2H) and homestay programmes.

State Tourism Development, Culture, Arts and Heritage committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said they had lined up several measures to prepare for the slowdown which is expected to hit Penang in the second quarter of 2009.

“We have discussed coming up with new tourism products with all the players in the industry,” he said.

He said Penang experienced a boom in tourism in the last quarter of last year.

Law said the current political turmoil in Bangkok was a boon for Penang tourism as holidaymakers were diverting their tours to Malaysia instead.

Penang Tourism Action Council chairman Datuk Kee Phaik Cheen urged the state government to focus on re-training those in the service and tourism industry to improve their service.

“The tourism industry in Penang has prevailed over the years despite several slowdowns. Penang is never short of tourism products and can still re-invent ourselves with new tourism products to encounter the global economic recession.

“Visitors will continue to come if the tourism products are impeccably conceived yet affordable,” she added.

Source: The Star

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