Budget 2025: Call For Increased Allocation To Promote Penang As Tourism Destination

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 15 (Bernama) -- Tourism associations in Penang expressed hope that the government will increase the allocation for the sector in Budget 2025 to boost the promotion of the state internationally and attract more foreign tourists.

Malaysian Hotel Association (MAH) Penang chapter chairman Datuk Tony Goh said that promotional campaigns should not be limited to a few countries but should be expanded globally.

“We hope the upcoming budget will allocate more funds for tourism to enhance Penang's visibility in international markets such as Europe, Russia, and beyond, rather than focusing solely on China,” he told Bernama.

“Furthermore, there is a need for roadshows to showcase the state’s convention centres. These centres not only attract tourists but also businesses, providing an opportunity to stimulate the economy through corporate and business visitors,” he added.

Goh also expressed hope that tourism tax revenues could be split equally between the federal and state governments. This would enable state governments to invest in improving their local tourism sectors.

Goh emphasised that the increased tourism tax revenues should enable the state government to run more extensive promotional campaigns and attract international tourists.

Penang Tourist Guides Association president Clement Liang also called for enhanced infrastructure in tourist areas through Budget 2025, which will be tabled on Oct 18. He noted that many of Penang's attractions lack adequate parking for sightseeing buses, making it challenging for travel agencies to bring tourists to these sites.

“Moreover, there is a need for tourism brochures in additional languages beyond English, Chinese, and Arabic. We should also cater to tourists from Russia, South Africa, and Europe," he said, adding that neighbouring countries successfully attract tourists by offering brochures in their native languages, which makes visiting those destinations easier.

Meanwhile, Mohd Latiff Fatteh Mohamed, president of Mutiara Tour Guides, mentioned that his association recently discussed Budget 2025 with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC). One key issue raised was the need for a list of licensed tour guides at the country’s entry points to ensure tourists can easily access legitimate services rather than resorting to illegal guides.

He said licensed tour guides, who are required to complete competency courses such as the Continuing Tourism Related Education (CTRE) for licence renewal, play a crucial role in facilitating foreign tourists.

“There were several important topics discussed with MOTAC regarding the budget, focusing not only on improving the state’s tourism sector but also on boosting the economy of local traders,” he added.

Penang's economy has shown significant growth in 2023 and 2024, driven by a rebound in the tourism sector, which recorded nearly seven million passenger movements in 2023 - a 64.5 per cent increase compared with the previous year.

-- BERNAMA