GEORGE TOWN, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- The Oceania Cruises renowned for offering luxury voyages to some of the world's most captivating destinations is set to sail across Asia including Penang in 2025.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said Penang State is truly honored to be selected as one of Oceania Cruises ’ports of call on its 2025 voyage through Asia.
He said this inclusion is a significant milestone for Penang's tourism sector, elevating its visibility on the global stage.
"The Regatta cruise line will carry up to 1,250 guests to various iconic destination including Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai, and our very own Penang.
"Strategically situated in Southeast Asia, Penang has long emerged as a premier destination for cruise ships, and being chosen by Oceania Cruises underscores our island's unique appeal and the exceptional experiences we offer," he said during a press conference to welcome the prestigious Oceania Cruises host by Xpedition Travel here today.
Wong said the cruise terminal at Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) has played a pivotal role in supporting the growth of cruise tourism in Penang.
He said in 2023 alone, SPCT welcomed a total of 573,178 international transit passengers along with 175,532 local passengers.
"These impressive numbers reflect the terminal's capacity to handle large volumes of visitors efficiently, further establishing Penang as a key maritime hub in the region.
"The recent upgrades to our terminal facilities, including the extension of our berths and the enhancement of passenger amenities, have positioned SPCT as one of the leading cruise terminals in the region," he added.
He said this infrastructure enables to efficiently handle the increasing number of cruise ships while providing a seamless experience for passengers and Penang is also emerging as an international city, seamlessly blending heritage and modernity.
Wong said and of course, no visit to Penang would be complete without indulging in the world-famous street food, which promises to delight your taste buds with its vibrant and exotic flavors.
He said the arrival of Oceania Cruises to the shores brings with it significant economic and cultural benefits and it also supports local businesses and creates jobs across Penang hospitality, retail, transportation and tourism sectors.
"This fosters development within our community and ensures that the benefits of tourism are felt by all and our vision, as outlined in the Penang2030 initiatives, is to enhance our global appeal and strengthen our position as a premier travel hub.
"We are committed to improving our infrastructure, ensuring sustainable development and fostering a vibrant community," he added.
He said the inclusion of Penang as a port of call is a vital step towards realizing this vision, encouraging further development and investment inour tourism sector.
He said this milestone also opens the door to other forms of trade and commerce, attracting investments beyond tourism and paving the way for Penang to eventually become a home port in the near future.
-- BERNAMA
