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YZD appointed to develop Penang Tourism Master Plan
YZD appointed to develop Penang Tourism Master Plan
YZD Planning and Consult (YZD) has been appointed as the consultant for the Penang Tourism Master Plan, a comprehensive plan for the state government to develop the state tourism sector from 2019 to 2030.
YZD is an independent consultancy agency registered with the Malaysian Institute of Planners and has over 20 years of experience in town planning and tourism development, including a tourism project in Port Dickson.
Penang Exco for Tourism, Arts, Culture and Heritage (PETACH) Yeoh Soon Hin said YZD was chosen from among 10 companies which had submitted their proposals from a Request for Proposal (RFP) held since December last year.
“After two (stages of) evaluations, YZD was selected through factors such as deep understanding towards the Penang market trends, relevant experience on the subject and the qualification, background, knowledge and expertise of the researchers on the matter,” Yeoh said at the signing ceremony for the Penang Tourism Master Plan here tonight.
Earlier, Yeoh represented Penang Global Tourism (PGT) to sign the official agreement with YZD, which was represented by its director Yuzaini Damanhuri. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Meanwhile, YZD principal consultant Badaruddin Mohamed said they were given a preparation period of six months, starting June, to develop a proposal for the master plan.
He said the preparation involved developing a work plan outlining the goals, objectives, strategies and conducting a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis.
“We will be conducting six to seven focus group discussions with our stakeholders throughout the research, such as the state government, NGOs, tourism industry players and media,” he added.
-- BERNAMA
YZD Planning and Consult (YZD) has been appointed as the consultant for the Penang Tourism Master Plan, a comprehensive plan for the state government to develop the state tourism sector from 2019 to 2030.
YZD is an independent consultancy agency registered with the Malaysian Institute of Planners and has over 20 years of experience in town planning and tourism development, including a tourism project in Port Dickson.
Penang Exco for Tourism, Arts, Culture and Heritage (PETACH) Yeoh Soon Hin said YZD was chosen from among 10 companies which had submitted their proposals from a Request for Proposal (RFP) held since December last year.
“After two (stages of) evaluations, YZD was selected through factors such as deep understanding towards the Penang market trends, relevant experience on the subject and the qualification, background, knowledge and expertise of the researchers on the matter,” Yeoh said at the signing ceremony for the Penang Tourism Master Plan here tonight.
Earlier, Yeoh represented Penang Global Tourism (PGT) to sign the official agreement with YZD, which was represented by its director Yuzaini Damanhuri. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Meanwhile, YZD principal consultant Badaruddin Mohamed said they were given a preparation period of six months, starting June, to develop a proposal for the master plan.
He said the preparation involved developing a work plan outlining the goals, objectives, strategies and conducting a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis.
“We will be conducting six to seven focus group discussions with our stakeholders throughout the research, such as the state government, NGOs, tourism industry players and media,” he added.
-- BERNAMA
Friday, 21 June 2019
Fly to Penang just for a durian buffet
Fly to Penang just for a durian buffet
Among the fan favourites: Yeap showing the vibrant orange pulp of a clone called Xiao Hong which can only be found in Penang.
StarPicby:LIM BENG TATT/The Star/ 18 June 2019.
Among the fan favourites: Yeap showing the vibrant orange pulp of a clone called Xiao Hong which can only be found in Penang. StarPicby:LIM BENG TATT/The Star/ 18 June 2019.
GEORGE TOWN: They fly in, stuff themselves full of durians and fly out after a night’s rest.
Such a durian buffet by Tourism Malaysia costs a mere RM186, including a night’s stay in selected hotels.
For Malaysians who do not need the hotel stay, this package is a mere RM66 per person for the buffet only.
It is the tourism promotion board’s latest effort to bring durian lovers to Penang for a feast that will not burn a hole in the pocket.
Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said tourists from Hong Kong and China have begun flying in just for the package.
The trick to making it both affordable for tourists and profitable for durian farmers is to keep the famed variants Musang King and Black Thorn out of the picture.
“Don’t be too obsessed with these two clones. There are many more varieties available only in Penang,” said Muhammad Bakhtiar.
Last month, a woman and her friend enjoyed two Black Thorn and one Musang King durian here and was charged RM937. She aired her unhappiness on social media and it went viral.
Muhammad Bakhtiar said among the varieties found only in Penang is one called Felicia Khor, which is named after a loyal eater.
“It is bitter unlike any other clone and it comes from only one kampung durian tree on the island,” said Muhammad Bakhtiar.
He said five years ago, Khor, who is a Malaysian now living in England, came home and tried it.
The following year, she told the durian seller in Teluk Bahang that she wanted that specific variety again.
“It took a lot of effort to find it for her. So the durian farmer named it after her,” said the deputy minister, adding that it only costs RM20 per kilo.
Among the classic durian clones offered in the package are Red Prawn, Kung Poh, Xiao Hong, Lipan, Capri, D11, D14 and Kacang Hijau,
Muhammad Bakhtiar said the package, which runs till Aug 6, is in collaboration with an orchard in Teluk Bahang willing to offer the buffet at that price.
“We focus on independent travellers instead of group tours. So people can make their own flight arrangements and when they reach the hotel, we will arrange transportation to take them to the durian orchard,” he said.
Orchard owner Eric Yeap said although his net profit was not large, he was eager to help the government make Penang durians famous.
On a separate note, Yeap has Musang King and Black Thorn at his orchard and those who want them simply have to pay for them separately.
He said even AirAsia has chipped in to push Penang durians.
“Those who show an AirAsia boarding pass to Penang get an extra 10% off our list price. Those who take Tourism Malaysia’s durian package get a lucky draw chance to win AirAsia return tickets from Penang to Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru or Melaka,” he said.
~The Star~
Among the fan favourites: Yeap showing the vibrant orange pulp of a clone called Xiao Hong which can only be found in Penang.
StarPicby:LIM BENG TATT/The Star/ 18 June 2019.
Among the fan favourites: Yeap showing the vibrant orange pulp of a clone called Xiao Hong which can only be found in Penang. StarPicby:LIM BENG TATT/The Star/ 18 June 2019.
GEORGE TOWN: They fly in, stuff themselves full of durians and fly out after a night’s rest.
Such a durian buffet by Tourism Malaysia costs a mere RM186, including a night’s stay in selected hotels.
For Malaysians who do not need the hotel stay, this package is a mere RM66 per person for the buffet only.
It is the tourism promotion board’s latest effort to bring durian lovers to Penang for a feast that will not burn a hole in the pocket.
Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said tourists from Hong Kong and China have begun flying in just for the package.
The trick to making it both affordable for tourists and profitable for durian farmers is to keep the famed variants Musang King and Black Thorn out of the picture.
“Don’t be too obsessed with these two clones. There are many more varieties available only in Penang,” said Muhammad Bakhtiar.
Last month, a woman and her friend enjoyed two Black Thorn and one Musang King durian here and was charged RM937. She aired her unhappiness on social media and it went viral.
Muhammad Bakhtiar said among the varieties found only in Penang is one called Felicia Khor, which is named after a loyal eater.
“It is bitter unlike any other clone and it comes from only one kampung durian tree on the island,” said Muhammad Bakhtiar.
He said five years ago, Khor, who is a Malaysian now living in England, came home and tried it.
The following year, she told the durian seller in Teluk Bahang that she wanted that specific variety again.
“It took a lot of effort to find it for her. So the durian farmer named it after her,” said the deputy minister, adding that it only costs RM20 per kilo.
Among the classic durian clones offered in the package are Red Prawn, Kung Poh, Xiao Hong, Lipan, Capri, D11, D14 and Kacang Hijau,
Muhammad Bakhtiar said the package, which runs till Aug 6, is in collaboration with an orchard in Teluk Bahang willing to offer the buffet at that price.
“We focus on independent travellers instead of group tours. So people can make their own flight arrangements and when they reach the hotel, we will arrange transportation to take them to the durian orchard,” he said.
Orchard owner Eric Yeap said although his net profit was not large, he was eager to help the government make Penang durians famous.
On a separate note, Yeap has Musang King and Black Thorn at his orchard and those who want them simply have to pay for them separately.
He said even AirAsia has chipped in to push Penang durians.
“Those who show an AirAsia boarding pass to Penang get an extra 10% off our list price. Those who take Tourism Malaysia’s durian package get a lucky draw chance to win AirAsia return tickets from Penang to Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru or Melaka,” he said.
~The Star~
Booking Grab ride in Malaysia? Submit selfie first
Booking Grab ride in Malaysia? Submit selfie first
All Grab users in Malaysia will soon have to do a one-time selfie verification in order to use the app in the country. This is to fulfil regulatory requirements.
It will be similar to what new Grab users in Singapore are already doing, and a company spokesman said yesterday that Singaporeans would also have to comply with the Malaysian rule when using the app across the Causeway.
Grab, through an announcement on its Malaysian app and its website, informed users recently that the compulsory measure will be in place by July 12.
The website message read: "The selfie is for identity verification, safety, and may be used to assist the authorities when required. Grab ensures that your selfie and identity are secure and will not be shared with our driver-partners and merchants."
Grab added that explicit permission would be sought before any access to users' cameras.
Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke had last July announced that, as part of new rules, passengers would have to upload valid identification card or passport details when they register for a ride-hailing account. He gave a year's grace to meet the requirements.
Grab adopted facial recognition technology to meet the new rule, with first-time users required to submit a selfie of themselves before booking a ride.
The Star daily reported that the new requirement has already helped solve a robbery-cum-murder case involving a Grab driver. Two suspects were nabbed in connection with the death of Mr Mohd Hanafiee Jaafar, who was robbed and killed on the job last month.
The incident resulted in drivers fearing post-midnight trips and avoiding areas deemed dangerous, The Star said.
Within Singapore, Grab users who signed up before February this year did not have to go through selfie verification, with their identities verified by either their Facebook account or credit card details.
But new users signing up from February have had to submit selfies to successfully open their accounts.
The Grab spokesman said: "These are part of our ongoing efforts to ensure high safety and security standards on our platform for both our customers and driver-partners."
Singaporeans who use Grab during trips to Malaysia told ST that they did not mind submitting a selfie so long as it was used solely for verification purposes.
Ms Wong Shi Hui, 25, who works in events management and visits Malaysia every three months, said: "It is good that measures are in place to protect drivers as well. Selfies seem harmless enough if they can ensure a safe ride for everyone."
~The Straits Times~
All Grab users in Malaysia will soon have to do a one-time selfie verification in order to use the app in the country. This is to fulfil regulatory requirements.
It will be similar to what new Grab users in Singapore are already doing, and a company spokesman said yesterday that Singaporeans would also have to comply with the Malaysian rule when using the app across the Causeway.
Grab, through an announcement on its Malaysian app and its website, informed users recently that the compulsory measure will be in place by July 12.
The website message read: "The selfie is for identity verification, safety, and may be used to assist the authorities when required. Grab ensures that your selfie and identity are secure and will not be shared with our driver-partners and merchants."
Grab added that explicit permission would be sought before any access to users' cameras.
Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke had last July announced that, as part of new rules, passengers would have to upload valid identification card or passport details when they register for a ride-hailing account. He gave a year's grace to meet the requirements.
Grab adopted facial recognition technology to meet the new rule, with first-time users required to submit a selfie of themselves before booking a ride.
The Star daily reported that the new requirement has already helped solve a robbery-cum-murder case involving a Grab driver. Two suspects were nabbed in connection with the death of Mr Mohd Hanafiee Jaafar, who was robbed and killed on the job last month.
The incident resulted in drivers fearing post-midnight trips and avoiding areas deemed dangerous, The Star said.
Within Singapore, Grab users who signed up before February this year did not have to go through selfie verification, with their identities verified by either their Facebook account or credit card details.
But new users signing up from February have had to submit selfies to successfully open their accounts.
The Grab spokesman said: "These are part of our ongoing efforts to ensure high safety and security standards on our platform for both our customers and driver-partners."
Singaporeans who use Grab during trips to Malaysia told ST that they did not mind submitting a selfie so long as it was used solely for verification purposes.
Ms Wong Shi Hui, 25, who works in events management and visits Malaysia every three months, said: "It is good that measures are in place to protect drivers as well. Selfies seem harmless enough if they can ensure a safe ride for everyone."
~The Straits Times~
Tuesday, 11 June 2019
Monday, 10 June 2019
New VMY 2020 logo to be unveiled this month
New VMY 2020 logo to be unveiled this month
The logo for Visit Malaysia 2020 will be unveiled during the national-level Hari Raya open house at the Royal Museum in Kuala Lumpur on June 22.
“The Prime Minister himself chose the logo on the eve of Hari Raya.
“The theme and logo will be unveiled then,” Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said during his Hari Raya open house at SMK Pondok Upeh here yesterday.
A total of 586 entries were submitted for a design competition in March.
The design will also symbolise the various attractive ecotourism products in Malaysia.
Early last year, the Visit Malaysia 2020 logo did not go down well with social media users, as they generally felt that the design was not up to standard.
The emblem featured a cartoon of an orang utan in sunglasses hugging a proboscis monkey, a silhouette of the Petronas Twin Towers and a turtle on a beach, also wearing sunglasses. It included a caption: “Travel. Enjoy. Respect.”
Muhammad Bakhtiar said that events meant for Visit Malaysia 2020 would be required to be coordinated with the secretariat in charge of the campaign.
“This is to ensure it does not clash with other events under Visit Malaysia 2020,” he said.
He was responding to the proposal to bring BTS, a K-pop group, to the country for the celebration next year.
In April, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman had promised to bring the boy band to Malaysia and Tan Sri Tony Fernandes was tasked to deliver on this pledge.
Yesterday’s Raya open house was jointly hosted by Muhammad Bakhtiar, who is also the Balik Pulau MP, together with Pulau Betong assemblyman Mohd Tuah Ismail and Teluk Bahang assemblyman Zolkifly Md Lazim.
~News courtesy of The Star~
The logo for Visit Malaysia 2020 will be unveiled during the national-level Hari Raya open house at the Royal Museum in Kuala Lumpur on June 22.
“The Prime Minister himself chose the logo on the eve of Hari Raya.
“The theme and logo will be unveiled then,” Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said during his Hari Raya open house at SMK Pondok Upeh here yesterday.
A total of 586 entries were submitted for a design competition in March.
The design will also symbolise the various attractive ecotourism products in Malaysia.
Early last year, the Visit Malaysia 2020 logo did not go down well with social media users, as they generally felt that the design was not up to standard.
The emblem featured a cartoon of an orang utan in sunglasses hugging a proboscis monkey, a silhouette of the Petronas Twin Towers and a turtle on a beach, also wearing sunglasses. It included a caption: “Travel. Enjoy. Respect.”
Muhammad Bakhtiar said that events meant for Visit Malaysia 2020 would be required to be coordinated with the secretariat in charge of the campaign.
“This is to ensure it does not clash with other events under Visit Malaysia 2020,” he said.
He was responding to the proposal to bring BTS, a K-pop group, to the country for the celebration next year.
In April, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman had promised to bring the boy band to Malaysia and Tan Sri Tony Fernandes was tasked to deliver on this pledge.
Yesterday’s Raya open house was jointly hosted by Muhammad Bakhtiar, who is also the Balik Pulau MP, together with Pulau Betong assemblyman Mohd Tuah Ismail and Teluk Bahang assemblyman Zolkifly Md Lazim.
~News courtesy of The Star~
New airport proposals for Penang
New airport proposals for Penang
Amid all the hype surrounding the Kulim International Airport (KXP) there is now even talk of two companies proposing to build a new airport in two different locations in south Seberang Perai on mainland Penang.
It is learnt that one private company proposed to the Federal Government its plans to build a new airport in Penang, while another company is about to do the same soon.
If the plans materialise, it would spell the end for Penang International Airport (PIA) in Bayan Lepas which is on Penang island.
It is understood that the proposal for NMIA, if given the nod, would be an exchange for the rights to develop the coveted prime land now occupied by PIA.
A source revealed that the location of NMIA, which would cost about RM10bil and covering a whopping 650ha, would be near the border shared by Kedah, Penang and Perak.
The site, at present, is a vast tract of padi fields, and the project includes an additional 400ha for warehousing and logistics facilities.
“The company proposed an airport large enough to handle 16 million passengers a year, expandable to 25 million.
“It will serve the three states with a check-in terminal featuring a transit monorail for flight passengers to commute between Penang island and NMIA in 45 minutes,” the source revealed.
He said the monorail transit line was calculated to be 57km long, about the same as the train link between Kuala Lumpur International Airport and KL Sentral.
This rail link includes an interchange station with the Electric Train Service between Padang Besar (Perlis) and Kuala Lumpur, and stops at Batu Kawan Industrial Estate on the Penang mainland and near Queensbay Mall in Bayan Lepas on the island.
“The company’s proposal for NMIA was so detailed that it surprised those to whom it was presented to in the Federal Government,” said the source who declined to reveal who attended the project presentation.
A check revealed that the state government might not be aware of the proposal.
When asked, a senior state executive council member replied that “this is the first time I am hearing about it”.
The source said the company did not “ask for a sen” to build NMIA, and the proposers offered to build it in exchange for the land that PIA is on.
“They won’t even need the land until NMIA is fully operational.
“The company claims it can raise enough funds to build NMIA fully before seeing a return on their investment by developing the Bayan Lepas airport land,” he said, adding that the company is also willing to finance the cost of acquiring land in south Seberang Prai to build NMIA.
He said while the current estimated value of the Bayan Lepas airport land is RM7.2bil, the development value would be more than double and “immense” enough to make NMIA commercially viable.
The other proposal, NORIA, includes the building of an industrial fisheries port, a major enhancement to Penang’s aquaculture sector in south Seberang Prai and a new electronics industrial park.
A different source revealed that this entails reclaiming 5,000ha between the second Penang bridge and the Penang-Perak border.
“It will be an island. On top of an airport, it will be the largest aquaculture and deep-sea fisheries hub in peninsular Malaysia,” the source said, adding that the fishing port would support tuna fishing activities in the Andaman Sea and even the Indian Ocean on the other side of Sumatra island.
More than 30,000 tonnes of salt and brackish water fish are farmed here yearly and it is the largest source of farmed fish for peninsular Malaysia and Singapore.
He said NORIA includes a mega industrial park for the electronics industry.
“The population in northern Perak and southern Kedah will be the greatest beneficiaries of such an industrial park because it will create tens of thousands of new jobs for them.
“Now, there are fleets of factory buses bringing workers from Kamunting and Taiping in Perak to Bayan Lepas every morning.
“They have to wake up before 5am to get to work. They sleep in their buses. By having a new hi-tech estate closer to Perak and Kedah, the spillover benefits will be more thoroughly shared,” the source said.
He said the prospect of building an inland port in Kedah with a rail link to NORIA was also being studied.
“The company is planning to propose it formally to the Federal Government soon,” he added.
On KXP which is in Kulim, the source said, it “has not been cast in stone”.
“It is closer to Sungai Petani, too far from Perak to give direct benefit,” he said.
It was announced in March that the RM1.6bil KXP has been approved as a private financing initiative and a company to develop it will be picked via open tender.
KXP has generated much interest in the northern region, with industry players in Kedah eager for it and industrialists on Penang island feeling worried that it would adversely impact their state’s economy, especially if it leads to the eventual decommissioning of PIA.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Amid all the hype surrounding the Kulim International Airport (KXP) there is now even talk of two companies proposing to build a new airport in two different locations in south Seberang Perai on mainland Penang.
It is learnt that one private company proposed to the Federal Government its plans to build a new airport in Penang, while another company is about to do the same soon.
If the plans materialise, it would spell the end for Penang International Airport (PIA) in Bayan Lepas which is on Penang island.
It is understood that the proposal for NMIA, if given the nod, would be an exchange for the rights to develop the coveted prime land now occupied by PIA.
A source revealed that the location of NMIA, which would cost about RM10bil and covering a whopping 650ha, would be near the border shared by Kedah, Penang and Perak.
The site, at present, is a vast tract of padi fields, and the project includes an additional 400ha for warehousing and logistics facilities.
“The company proposed an airport large enough to handle 16 million passengers a year, expandable to 25 million.
“It will serve the three states with a check-in terminal featuring a transit monorail for flight passengers to commute between Penang island and NMIA in 45 minutes,” the source revealed.
He said the monorail transit line was calculated to be 57km long, about the same as the train link between Kuala Lumpur International Airport and KL Sentral.
This rail link includes an interchange station with the Electric Train Service between Padang Besar (Perlis) and Kuala Lumpur, and stops at Batu Kawan Industrial Estate on the Penang mainland and near Queensbay Mall in Bayan Lepas on the island.
“The company’s proposal for NMIA was so detailed that it surprised those to whom it was presented to in the Federal Government,” said the source who declined to reveal who attended the project presentation.
A check revealed that the state government might not be aware of the proposal.
When asked, a senior state executive council member replied that “this is the first time I am hearing about it”.
The source said the company did not “ask for a sen” to build NMIA, and the proposers offered to build it in exchange for the land that PIA is on.
“They won’t even need the land until NMIA is fully operational.
“The company claims it can raise enough funds to build NMIA fully before seeing a return on their investment by developing the Bayan Lepas airport land,” he said, adding that the company is also willing to finance the cost of acquiring land in south Seberang Prai to build NMIA.
He said while the current estimated value of the Bayan Lepas airport land is RM7.2bil, the development value would be more than double and “immense” enough to make NMIA commercially viable.
The other proposal, NORIA, includes the building of an industrial fisheries port, a major enhancement to Penang’s aquaculture sector in south Seberang Prai and a new electronics industrial park.
A different source revealed that this entails reclaiming 5,000ha between the second Penang bridge and the Penang-Perak border.
“It will be an island. On top of an airport, it will be the largest aquaculture and deep-sea fisheries hub in peninsular Malaysia,” the source said, adding that the fishing port would support tuna fishing activities in the Andaman Sea and even the Indian Ocean on the other side of Sumatra island.
More than 30,000 tonnes of salt and brackish water fish are farmed here yearly and it is the largest source of farmed fish for peninsular Malaysia and Singapore.
He said NORIA includes a mega industrial park for the electronics industry.
“The population in northern Perak and southern Kedah will be the greatest beneficiaries of such an industrial park because it will create tens of thousands of new jobs for them.
“Now, there are fleets of factory buses bringing workers from Kamunting and Taiping in Perak to Bayan Lepas every morning.
“They have to wake up before 5am to get to work. They sleep in their buses. By having a new hi-tech estate closer to Perak and Kedah, the spillover benefits will be more thoroughly shared,” the source said.
He said the prospect of building an inland port in Kedah with a rail link to NORIA was also being studied.
“The company is planning to propose it formally to the Federal Government soon,” he added.
On KXP which is in Kulim, the source said, it “has not been cast in stone”.
“It is closer to Sungai Petani, too far from Perak to give direct benefit,” he said.
It was announced in March that the RM1.6bil KXP has been approved as a private financing initiative and a company to develop it will be picked via open tender.
KXP has generated much interest in the northern region, with industry players in Kedah eager for it and industrialists on Penang island feeling worried that it would adversely impact their state’s economy, especially if it leads to the eventual decommissioning of PIA.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Saturday, 8 June 2019
Penang collaborates with popular Hindi TV channel to pull in tourists
Penang collaborates with popular Hindi TV channel to pull in tourists
The Penang state government is planning to increase its market share of Indian tourists through a collaboration with a popular Indian TV channel.
The 17 million viewers of AAJ Tak TV will get an opportunity to see Penang’s best attractions to be featured in a special programme at the end of June.
The programme showcasing the best of Penang was shot from May 31 to June 4 by a crew. The crew included AAJ Tak TV show editor Amit Tyagi and Indian celebrity couple Nishant Malkani and Gia Manek.
Both Nishant and Gia are well known television stars back home having starred in many top drama series in India.Both TV stars will be promoting Penang through the channel to their Hindi-speaking audience mainly in India, Britain, the Middle East and Asia.
“We are confident that the number of leisure and business tourists from India will increase and the collaboration with AAJ Tak will further promote and help boost the publicity and awareness of Penang.“There were 43,537 Indian tourists who visited Penang last year, although there were no direct flights,” said Ashwin in his speech at the event.
Amit said the coverage of Penang would air as part of AAJ Tak’s one-hour travel show called Saas Bahu Aur Betiyaan.
“It has a Bollywood-type format with dance and songs featuring Nishant and Gia, who are famous TV stars,” he said.
Yeoh in his address said the state was very serious in making a permanent name as a top tourist destination in the Indian market.
“This effort by having AAJ Tak’s crew and India’s famous TV stars in Penang is also another strategy to showcase the state further to the Indian market,” he said.
~News courtesy of The Star~
The Penang state government is planning to increase its market share of Indian tourists through a collaboration with a popular Indian TV channel.
The 17 million viewers of AAJ Tak TV will get an opportunity to see Penang’s best attractions to be featured in a special programme at the end of June.
The programme showcasing the best of Penang was shot from May 31 to June 4 by a crew. The crew included AAJ Tak TV show editor Amit Tyagi and Indian celebrity couple Nishant Malkani and Gia Manek.
Both Nishant and Gia are well known television stars back home having starred in many top drama series in India.Both TV stars will be promoting Penang through the channel to their Hindi-speaking audience mainly in India, Britain, the Middle East and Asia.
“We are confident that the number of leisure and business tourists from India will increase and the collaboration with AAJ Tak will further promote and help boost the publicity and awareness of Penang.“There were 43,537 Indian tourists who visited Penang last year, although there were no direct flights,” said Ashwin in his speech at the event.
Amit said the coverage of Penang would air as part of AAJ Tak’s one-hour travel show called Saas Bahu Aur Betiyaan.
“It has a Bollywood-type format with dance and songs featuring Nishant and Gia, who are famous TV stars,” he said.
Yeoh in his address said the state was very serious in making a permanent name as a top tourist destination in the Indian market.
“This effort by having AAJ Tak’s crew and India’s famous TV stars in Penang is also another strategy to showcase the state further to the Indian market,” he said.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Friday, 7 June 2019
Penang among best places in Asia to visit
Penang among best places in Asia to visit
George Town, the island's main city, makes for an ideal home base, thanks to a dynamic cityscape that's punctuated by British colonial architecture, Buddhist temples and ornate Chinese manor houses.Pix from Pixabay
CNN Travel, CNN International’s new travel website, has named Penang as one of 17 Asia's best destinations to consider for the next adventure.
The article, published yesterday, singled out Penang as a mecca for food and architecture lovers. it was written by Kate Springer, a Hong Kong-based freelance writer and editor, with focus on travel, dining, culture and environmental reporting.
Her work has been published by CNN, Conde Nast Traveler, National Geographic, Vogue, Munchies, BBC Travel, Fodor’s, Time, HK Magazine, Sotheby’s, Tatler, Home Journal, Time Out Hong Kong, Revolution Magazine, Liv Magazine, Expat Parent Magazine, Horizon Magazine, Where, The List, Post Magazine, Superfuture, Fast Media and WBEZ (Chicago Public Media).
On Penang, Springer said: "Located off the western coast of Malaysia, the island of Penang is a mecca for food and architecture lovers.
"George Town, the island's main city, makes for an ideal home base, thanks to a dynamic cityscape that's punctuated by British colonial architecture, Buddhist temples and ornate Chinese manor houses.
"This seaside city is known as one of the world's top food destinations, serving up a delicious mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian cuisine.
"You'll crave dishes like Hokkien mee (fried prawn noodles), roti canai (an Indian-influenced flat bread dish with dal or curry) and Penang laksa for years after visiting."
Besides Penang, also named were Bhutan, El Nido in the Philippines, Bali in Indonesia, Seoul in South Korea, Rajasthan in India, Siem Reap in Cambodia, Hong Kong, Hanoi and Phu Quoc in Vietnam, The Great Wall and Xi'an in China, Chiang Rai in Thailand, Luang Prabang in Laos, Kathmandu in Nepal, Yogyakarta in Indonesia, Kyoto in Japan, Sri Lanka and Maldives.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has since taken to his official Facebook page to urge visitors to visit Penang for an unforgettable experience.
"It is a great honour for Penang. We need to ensure that we do not rest on our laurels.
"The state Tourism Committee chairman (Yeoh Soon Hin) is working very hard to transform this important economic sector so that we continue to be a destination of choice and provide job opportunities for our people," Chow said in an immediate WhatsApp response to the New Straits Times.
On July 13 last year, Bangkok-based CNN Travel senior producer Karla Cripps, in her article "George Town, Penang: Asia's greatest street food city?" wrote at length on Penang's street food culture and the state as an eater's paradise.
~New Straits Times~
George Town, the island's main city, makes for an ideal home base, thanks to a dynamic cityscape that's punctuated by British colonial architecture, Buddhist temples and ornate Chinese manor houses.Pix from Pixabay
CNN Travel, CNN International’s new travel website, has named Penang as one of 17 Asia's best destinations to consider for the next adventure.
The article, published yesterday, singled out Penang as a mecca for food and architecture lovers. it was written by Kate Springer, a Hong Kong-based freelance writer and editor, with focus on travel, dining, culture and environmental reporting.
Her work has been published by CNN, Conde Nast Traveler, National Geographic, Vogue, Munchies, BBC Travel, Fodor’s, Time, HK Magazine, Sotheby’s, Tatler, Home Journal, Time Out Hong Kong, Revolution Magazine, Liv Magazine, Expat Parent Magazine, Horizon Magazine, Where, The List, Post Magazine, Superfuture, Fast Media and WBEZ (Chicago Public Media).
On Penang, Springer said: "Located off the western coast of Malaysia, the island of Penang is a mecca for food and architecture lovers.
"George Town, the island's main city, makes for an ideal home base, thanks to a dynamic cityscape that's punctuated by British colonial architecture, Buddhist temples and ornate Chinese manor houses.
"This seaside city is known as one of the world's top food destinations, serving up a delicious mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian cuisine.
"You'll crave dishes like Hokkien mee (fried prawn noodles), roti canai (an Indian-influenced flat bread dish with dal or curry) and Penang laksa for years after visiting."
Besides Penang, also named were Bhutan, El Nido in the Philippines, Bali in Indonesia, Seoul in South Korea, Rajasthan in India, Siem Reap in Cambodia, Hong Kong, Hanoi and Phu Quoc in Vietnam, The Great Wall and Xi'an in China, Chiang Rai in Thailand, Luang Prabang in Laos, Kathmandu in Nepal, Yogyakarta in Indonesia, Kyoto in Japan, Sri Lanka and Maldives.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has since taken to his official Facebook page to urge visitors to visit Penang for an unforgettable experience.
"It is a great honour for Penang. We need to ensure that we do not rest on our laurels.
"The state Tourism Committee chairman (Yeoh Soon Hin) is working very hard to transform this important economic sector so that we continue to be a destination of choice and provide job opportunities for our people," Chow said in an immediate WhatsApp response to the New Straits Times.
On July 13 last year, Bangkok-based CNN Travel senior producer Karla Cripps, in her article "George Town, Penang: Asia's greatest street food city?" wrote at length on Penang's street food culture and the state as an eater's paradise.
~New Straits Times~
Wednesday, 5 June 2019
Tuesday, 4 June 2019
George Town Festival shortened with smaller budget
George Town Festival shortened with smaller budget
The usual month-long celebration of George Town Festival (GTF) has been reduced to 16 days.
The budget to host the 10th GTF has also been cut to RM3mil from RM4.5mil last year.
But Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said there would be no shortage of quality shows and programmes, with more than 500,000 people expected to attend the celebration featuring 500 performers from 20 countries.
“The international arts and culture festival will be held for 16 days at a lower budget.
The festival, to be held from July 13 to 28, will be managed by TLM Event Sdn Bhd for the first time.
It was previously managed by Joe Sidek Productions Sdn Bhd since its debut in 2010.
Themed “A Festival for Everyone”, the celebration will feature 150 programmes, with 14 specially curated ticketed shows covering dance, theatre, forum, talks, fashion, music, comedy and film.
There will also be symposiums such as the “Great New World – From Free Port to World Heritage Site” and “Isle to Isle: Design Forum”.
Visit: georgetownfestival.com.
~News courtesy of The Star~
The usual month-long celebration of George Town Festival (GTF) has been reduced to 16 days.
The budget to host the 10th GTF has also been cut to RM3mil from RM4.5mil last year.
But Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said there would be no shortage of quality shows and programmes, with more than 500,000 people expected to attend the celebration featuring 500 performers from 20 countries.
“The international arts and culture festival will be held for 16 days at a lower budget.
The festival, to be held from July 13 to 28, will be managed by TLM Event Sdn Bhd for the first time.
It was previously managed by Joe Sidek Productions Sdn Bhd since its debut in 2010.
Themed “A Festival for Everyone”, the celebration will feature 150 programmes, with 14 specially curated ticketed shows covering dance, theatre, forum, talks, fashion, music, comedy and film.
There will also be symposiums such as the “Great New World – From Free Port to World Heritage Site” and “Isle to Isle: Design Forum”.
Visit: georgetownfestival.com.
~News courtesy of The Star~
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