A local cafe operator showing Zainuddin (right, in blue) unique blends of coffee. Joining him in a tour of the pop-up exhibition are Nurmalis (middle, in plaid coat) and Shahrin (second from left, partially hidden).
THE popularity of coffee makes it ideal as a tourism product, says Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Zainuddin Abdul Wahab.
Be it through gastronomy or as part of spa treatments, it can be the star of experiential travel offerings that are increasingly popular today, particularly among millennials.
Zainuddin said this at the launch of Tourism Malaysia’s new Northern Malaysia Coffee Experience packages at the UAB Building in Penang.
There are around 15 options available, offered in collaboration with tour agencies, spa operators, cafes and coffeeshops across Penang, Kedah, Perak and Perlis.
These range from RM95 per person for a day-long tour, up to RM450 for a 3D/2N trip. Some come with a 10% discount or other perks from participating establishments.
While entitlements and itineraries vary between packages, they typically include visits to coffee producers or cafes to sample their unique brews, caffeinated spa treatments and stops at the respective states’ places of interest.
“Highlights include the Antong Coffee Mill in Taiping, Perak, or the coffee seedling nursery at Keda Agrobiz in Sik, Kedah.
“Unique experiences await when one sips coffee in the rural surroundings of Rumah Kupi in Kangar, Perlis, or the historic Fort Cornwallis in George Town Penang,” he said, adding that the packages were aimed at both local and international travellers.
He said they aimed to sell at least 300 packages within the promotional period ending June 2023. This will generate an estimated RM100,000 in revenue.
“This is the first time we are offering such packages. If successful, we intend to involve more stakeholders not just in the northern region but across Malaysia.
“Tourism Malaysia is always looking to promote unique products like this to continue aiding our tourism industry’s revival following the pandemic,” Zainuddin added.
He later joined Tourism Malaysia package development director Shahrin Mokhtar, Tourism Perak chief executive officer Nurmalis Musa, Menteri Besar Kedah Incorporated chief executive officer Muhamad Sobri Osman, and Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry Penang director Jonathan Freddy P. Bagang for the launch gimmick and a tour of a pop-up exhibition featuring 11 participating cafes.
The Northern Malaysia Coffee Experience will be promoted at the Penang Coffee Festival themed Coffee and Rhythms happening at Hin Bus Depot on Dec 10 and 11.
For details, visit www.malaysia.travel
