Penang State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman, Wong Hon Wai, recently revealed that the state recorded a significant increase in tourist arrivals from China in 2024 compared to the year prior.
Replying to a question by State Legislative Assembly representative (ADUN) for Batu Lancang Ong Ah Teong at the Penang DUN on 19 May, Wong asserted that Penang saw a massive 218.86% increase in tourist arrivals from China last year, and attributed it to several initiatives implemented by the Penang State Government.
Penang records an impressive 218.86% increase in tourist arrivals from China last year
Wong Hon Wai
Buletin Mutiara, the official media of the Penang State Government, quoted Wong, who is also the ADUN for Paya Terubong, as saying that a total of 120,245 tourists from China visited Penang in 2024. For comparison, only 37,111 visited the state in 2023.
He further elaborated on the strategic initiatives implemented by the Penang State Government to attract Chinese tourists, saying,
“The initiatives that have been carried out include increased direct air connectivity, digital marketing, and close partnerships with Chinese travel platforms.
“China remains one of Penang’s top international markets, and we are fully committed to capitalising on this potential,”
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Specifically, since August 2023, 7 new direct flight routes from major Chinese cities to Penang International Airport (PIA) have been introduced, including direct flights from 4 out of 5 of China’s busiest airports.
Among them are flights from Xiamen, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Chengdu, operated by airlines such as Xiamen Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, AirAsia, and Sichuan Airlines.
Penang State Government’s initiatives to attract tourists from China
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Besides that, Wong said that intensified promotional campaigns have been carried out across Chinese social media platforms and tourism websites. These include Xiaohongshu, one of the most popular Mandarin-speaking social media platforms.
Other efforts to attract Chinese tourists include collaboration with Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) and airlines in China to offer travel packages, as well as organising familiarisation trips for Chinese travel agents, media representatives and influencers.
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So, what do you guys think of Penang’s increasing popularity among tourists from China? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
