Penang: Penang today launched the 'Fall In Love with Penang' campaign to encourage Malaysians to rediscover the state, strengthening domestic tourism while sustaining the momentum of international visitor arrivals. State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the campaign marks a strategic shift from Penang's previous focus on overseas markets, including China, Southeast Asia, and India.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Wong emphasized that this is the first time Penang is launching a campaign specifically targeting the domestic market. The aim is for Malaysians to rediscover Penang's unique attractions and explore the new tourism products now available. The decision to intensify domestic tourism promotion is driven by the geopolitical conflict in West Asia, affecting global travel patterns, as well as the extension of the Visit Malaysia Year campaign to 2027.
Wong shared these insights with reporters after launching the campaign, where Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Penang director Dr Annuar Mohamed was also present. He highlighted that while Penang will continue to promote the state internationally, greater emphasis will now be placed on the domestic market. This will be achieved through initiatives such as enhancing the state's tourism website with new features and showcasing new tourism offerings.
Wong noted that recently reopened attractions, including Fort Cornwallis and the Penang State Museum, along with major events like the George Town Heritage Day celebrations and the George Town Festival, have received an encouraging response, contributing positively to the state's tourism performance.
Looking ahead, Wong expressed Penang's goal to attract more visitors during the National Day celebrations and school holidays in August and September. The focus will then shift to China's "Golden Week" holiday from October 1 to 8. In preparation, Wong plans to lead a delegation comprising Penang Global Tourism and industry representatives to Guangzhou and Zhuhai next week to engage with tourism stakeholders in the Greater Bay Area.