Penang: The Penang Port Commission (PPC) will collaborate with Tourism Malaysia to study incentive policies and encourage the development of cruise tourism in Penang.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, PPC’s chairman, Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin, stated that the collaboration also includes supporting cruise companies operating in Penang, increasing the number of cruise itineraries, and promoting the destination at international cruise conferences. He further mentioned that the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry’s marketing and promotional efforts were essential for developing Penang as a preferred cruise tourism destination.
Yeoh highlighted Penang’s four key advantages in developing its international cruise industry. The Penang Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) is strategically located on the coastline of the Strait of Melaka, providing easy access to the Indian Ocean. Additionally, Penang is part of the Malaysia-Thailand-Indonesia Golden Triangle region, which offers a large source of cruise consumer markets. The state also boasts an international and market-oriented cruise industry-related business environment.
The cruise terminal is situated within a UNESCO World Heritage site area, creating an advantage for cruise operations, tourism support, and product services. Yeoh led a delegation to meet with Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing in Putrajaya on March 25 to discuss Malaysia’s cruise industry promotion.
Yeoh shared that the PPC is actively promoting the recovery of the cruise tourism market in 2024. They are engaging in in-depth discussions and comprehensive cooperation with several international cruise companies. This effort has successfully attracted cruises from Europe, the United States, and China to dock at the SPCT, boosting Penang’s economy.
He emphasized that the development of cruise tourism is entering a new phase. The PPC will continue to seize opportunities presented by the recovery of the cruise tourism market, promoting integration between Penang’s cruise tourism and its tourism products and services, with the aim to make Penang an internationally influential cruise tourism destination.
Yeoh also revealed that Tiong has pledged that the ministry will further assist the PPC’s promotional efforts and work together to optimize cruise tourism products, expand the market for cruise passengers, and enhance local consumption.