Penang: Penang continues to be a popular tourist destination during the long weekend, including the National Day, which ended on Monday, and the school holidays, which extend until next Sunday. The state's tourist hotspots and famous food locations have been bustling with visitors.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai reported that 29,200 visitors rode the funicular train to Penang Hill between August 28 and 31. The total included 4,300 visitors on August 28, 7,300 on August 29, 9,400 on August 30, and 8,200 on August 31. Other popular tourist sites include the Penang State Museum, Fort Cornwallis, and Penang Hill, with the museum alone recording 3,677 visitors on Saturday, 5,178 on Sunday, and 4,217 on Monday.
The vibrant atmosphere in Penang has been attributed to the 69th National Day celebration and the school holidays, which run from August 29 to September 6, allowing families to take vacations in the state. Wong noted that beyond tourist attractions, urban areas like George Town, Batu Ferringhi, and food premises famous for dishes such as nasi kandar, char keow teow, laksa, and cendol have been experiencing heavy customer traffic.
A Bernama survey observed that Penang remains a favored destination for tourists. Since last Saturday, main roads leading to the beach area in Batu Ferringhi have been congested with vehicles. Nasi kandar shops on Jalan Gurdwara and Jalan Datuk Keramat, as well as cendol and air sarbat stalls on Jalan Penang, have drawn tourists willing to queue for their offerings.
Tourists have been visiting well-known spots such as Bukit Bendera, Armenian Street, Batu Ferringhi, Padang Kota, and Chew Jetty. Visitor Muhammad Azrai Abu Bakar, who traveled with his family, expressed satisfaction despite the long queues for tickets and the funicular railway. "We are very happy because this is the first time they can ride the Bukit Bendera funicular train and actually the 'bonus' when coming to this state is the delicious food," he noted.
Malaysian Hotel Association (MAH) Penang chairman Datuk Tony Goh stated that hotels in Batu Ferringhi recorded an occupancy rate of over 90% throughout the long weekend and into the next weekend. Busy areas such as George Town city centre saw occupancy rates of 80% and above during last weekend and the upcoming Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Goh added that while hotels remain a popular choice, some visitors opt for homestays, especially families during the school holidays. Penang's appeal extends beyond its beaches, heritage sites, and tourist attractions, with diverse food options being a significant draw for tourists.
The excitement is palpable as local and foreign visitors fill main attraction areas, exploring heritage sites and enjoying the local cuisine. With its blend of heritage attractions, natural beauty, beaches, and culinary offerings, Penang continues to provide a variety of options for family vacations during the school holiday and public holiday seasons.