GEORGE TOWN: Penang is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Malaysia and continues to be a top choice for many, especially during school holidays and festive seasons like this week.
Its natural beauty, particularly the beach areas around Batu Ferringhi, the rich cultural heritage, and the unique local cuisine make this Pearl of the Orient a must-visit destination for both domestic and international tourists.
A check by Bernama found that tourists have started flocking to the state since the start of the school holidays last Friday, and with the Christmas holiday on Wednesday, famous nasi kandar restaurants are packed with food enthusiasts.
In fact, the Penang Bridge and main roads on the island, especially in George Town and Batu Ferringhi, are congested with various vehicles. Tourists are seen visiting popular locations such as Chew Jetty (also known as Tan Jetty), a small fishing village built over the water, Armenian Street, Bukit Bendera, Batu Ferringhi, and Padang Kota.
Malaysian Hotel Association (MAH) Penang chapter chairman Datuk Tony Goh said that hotel booking rates in the state, particularly in the city centre and Batu Ferringhi areas, have reached between 90 to 100 per cent in the 10-day period since last week.
He said the increase was largely driven by the arrival of domestic tourists, particularly during the school holidays and the extended Christmas holiday period.
He added that with high bookings, the hotel sector in Penang is expected to remain busy until the end of the year, with demand returning to normal in early January before picking up again during the school holidays and Chinese New Year.
"Hotels in the beach areas and city centre are experiencing strong demand, with bookings reaching up to 100 per cent. The influx of domestic tourists during the school holidays and festive season has had a positive impact on the local tourism industry.
"Foreign tourists, such as those from China, Indonesia, and Macau, are also showing consistent arrival trends," he said when contacted.
Penang Tourist Guides Association president Clement Liang, said that they received high demand from tourists, particularly from those travelling by cruises.
He said that there had been heavy congestion, but this reflected good performance in the tourism sector, as Penang continues to be a popular choice for both domestic and international visitors.
"It seems that our members' businesses have seen an increase during the school holidays and Christmas celebrations, which is a positive sign. We hope that Penang will continue to be a popular holiday destination as it has a positive impact on local businesses," he said.
Meanwhile, the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) announced on its Facebook page that it had intensified traffic monitoring around George Town and other tourist hotspots during the school holidays to ease traffic flow.
MBPP also urged road users visiting Penang to comply with traffic signals and regulations, as well as to park their vehicles in designated parking spaces to avoid legal action.- Bernama
