Penang Remains Popular Destination During CNY, School Holidays

GEORGE TOWN, Feb 1 (Bernama) -- Penang has once again emerged as a top destination for both local and international tourists during the recent Chinese New Year celebrations, which coincided with the school holidays. The state experienced a significant influx of visitors, leading to bustling streets and crowded attractions.

A check by Bernama saw the main roads in the city centre, extending to the coastal area of Batu Ferringhi, congested with vehicles. Popular eateries, such as nasi kandar shops on Jalan Gurdwara and Jalan Datuk Keramat, along with cendol and air sarbat stalls on Jalan Penang, attracted long queues of visitors eager to indulge in local delicacies.

Tourists flocked to renowned attractions like Bukit Bendera, Armenian Street, Batu Ferringhi, Padang Kota, and Chew Jetty, also known as Tan Jetty - a small fishing village built on water.

Siti Hajar Hamzah, 38, a visitor from Melaka, said her family specifically chose Penang for their Chinese New Year and school holiday getaway due to the many interesting locations the state has to offer.  

"We arrived last Tuesday and have visited several tourist attractions, including Bukit Bendera, Padang Kota, and the popular beaches around Batu Ferringhi. 

"We chose to come earlier because on Tuesday we could still enjoy a 50 per cent toll discount, and of course, when in Penang, nasi kandar and pasembor  are our family's top choices."

Another visitor, Mohammad Azli Mohd Idris, 35, from Selangor, expressed his satisfaction with the trip.

"My two children are very happy because this is the first time they've been able to ride the Bukit Bendera funicular train, and the bonus of coming to this state is the delicious food, especially the various nasi kandar options," he said.

According to Datuk Tony Goh from the Malaysian Hotel Association's Penang chapter, the surge in tourism has also positively impacted the local economy.

He said hotel bookings in the city centre and coastal areas have been nearly full since last Tuesday.

Occupancy rates are ranging from 90 to 100 per cent and he anticipates that bookings will continue to increase next week due to the Thaipusam celebration on Feb 11.

Meanwhile. the increase in visitors has led to traffic congestion, with more than 2.4 million vehicles entering the state during the festive and holiday period, particularly on the Penang Bridge and the state's main roads.

-- BERNAMA