Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) CEO G Ashwin said discussions were being held with airlines on introducing more direct flights to Penang.
“There are initiatives already being taken. We want to have more visitors come to Penang, especially in the area of MICE (meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions),” he said at the announcement of the Penang International Travel Exchange (PITE).
The PITE, to be held over five days in September, is a homegrown travel exchange programme that aims to position Penang as the leading business events and leisure destination in the Asia-Pacific.
Each year, selected participants from around the world will be brought to Penang to experience Penang’s many attractions. They will also take part in business-to-business sessions, site inspections, education workshops and networking events.
This year, Penang will host 150 participants from the Global Panoramic Showcase (GPS), which is a business meeting point for tourism professionals from leading tourism service providers from India, Ashwin said.
Ashwin pointed out that in the past, MICE had not been promoted in India on a large scale.
The popular destinations among Indians are Langkawi, Genting Highlands and Kuala Lumpur, he said.
He said PCEB and Team Penang embarked on a roadshow to India in January this year, which covered Kolkata, New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
“Tourist agents saw the potential in Penang in terms of travel packages.
“This led to many agents giving ideas that Penang be packaged as a four-day, three-night holiday. This can be combined with Langkawi, even Singapore.
“At least 150 participants from India will come to Penang and from here, they will take the Star Cruise to Singapore. Such dual destinations are part of strategies we are working on,” he said.
Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the business events industry in Penang had shown steady and positive growth.
He noted that in 2016, the estimated economic impact (EEI) for business events in the state was recorded at RM808 million whereas last year, the EEI surpassed the RM1 billion target.
“I am positive that with this travel exchange programme, Penang will continue to position itself as a potential business events’ destination and convince more organisers to hold their events here,” he added.