Great potential: Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal is an important entry point for international tourists in Penang, making it an obvious location for duty-free shopping.
GEORGE TOWN: Cruise ship passengers visiting Penang will be able to buy duty-free items such as perfume, liquor and chocolates come July or August.
Penang Port Commission chairman Jeffrey Chew Gim Ean said the initial shopping space at the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal of about 74sq m would be near the CIQ (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine) area.
“This shop will cater only to cruise ship passengers. Perfume, liquor and chocolates will be sold.
“There is a possibility of adding more outlets if space permits.
“The duty-free shop will operate behind the immigration checkpoint for this phase. Phase Two will be announced later,” he said.
Chew said the initiative was in line with the announcement by the Finance Ministry in Budget 2019.
He said this was a good start to the pier’s tourism retailing.
“Last year, there were 1.02 million passengers coming into Penang through the pier.
“With this first facility, we will also be able to attract other outlets at Phase Two to offer non-duty-free products that are produced here in Penang.
“Phase Two is set to be located in the warehouse area at the pier,” he said.
Chew said there was demand for a duty-free facility as international passengers were always on the lookout for duty-free goods and locally made products.
He said port concessionaire Penang Port Sdn Bhd was managing the Phase One duty-free operator.
Penang Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said cruise tourism was an important sub-sector here as it could bring in higher-end tourists with spending power.
“In addition, we believe the facility will complement the RM155mil expansion plan to make the pier more attractive, on top of its strategic proximity to the city centre and make it a preferred cruise destination,” he said.
The RM155mil expansion is the extension of the berth and pier building to accommodate larger cruise ships.
Upon completion, the joint venture project between Penang Port Sdn Bhd (60%) and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (40%) would be able to handle 1.7 million passengers a year by 2021.
~Courtesy of The Star~
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