Penang: Penang experienced a 218.86 per cent surge in tourist arrivals from China via the Penang International Airport (LTAPP) last year compared to 2023.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai highlighted that this increase affirmed China’s position as one of Penang’s major overseas markets. Wong stated that tourist arrivals from China at the LTAPP international arrival gate rose significantly from 5,918 people in 2022 to 37,711 in 2023, and further surged to 120,252 people last year. He provided these insights in response to a query from Ong Ah Teong (PH-Batu Lancang) regarding the state government’s strategies and achievements in exploring the China tourism market during the State Legislative Assembly sitting.

Wong elaborated that the state government, through its agencies, consistently aimed to tap into the tourism markets in China by collaborating strategically with airline companies to increase direct flights from China to Penang. Currently, there are direct flights from four of the five busiest airports in China-Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Chengdu-to Penang. Additionally, seven flights from various Chinese cities have been launched since August 2023.

The state government has also been vigorous in executing marketing campaigns on social media and tourism websites, working with Online Travel Agency (OTA) China and airline companies to offer appealing tourism packages. They have also facilitated familiarization trips for tourism agents, media personnel, and influencers from China.

“Tourism in Penang is also actively promoted on the Xiaohongshu (formerly known as Little Red Book) social media and e-commerce platform, which is becoming crucial in tourism promotional strategies, particularly for attracting tourists from China and Mandarin-speaking communities,” Wong added.