Penang woos tourism investors, eyes upscale market

Actively targeting more foreign investments and tourists, the Penang State Tourism Development office has launched initiatives to attract luxury hoteliers, real estate developers and cruise providers. The move complements the state's programme to cultivate a holistic tourist experience showcasing Penang's living cultures - its culinary, architectural, artistic and cultural heritage from a blend of Asian and European influences.

Aiming to encourage upscale market business partnerships, the initiatives promote culture, cuisine, education, shopping and medical tourism.

"We formulated a policy encouraging the construction of more high-end boutique hotels in the heritage area of Georgetown," says Law Heng Kiang, Penang state minister for tourism development. Georgetown relives the British era from the end of the 18th century.

Penang boasts a living heritage, particularly with Chinese cuisines and traditions that have vanished even from the mainland. This living heritage is also embodied in murals, festivals, temples and old buildings, notably at its capital Georgetown, a Unesco World Heritage Site.

British national daily The Guardian selected a mural depicting little children on a bicycle, a famous street art piece in Penang, as one of the top 15 best works of street art worldwide. It was the only selection from Asia, alongside works from Ireland, Holland, Colombia, Afghanistan, London and Melbourne, among others.

Penang has also become well-known as a top destination for medical tourism. Offering competitive prices, it contributes 60 per cent to Malaysia's total medical tourism revenues. With seven world-class hospitals equipped with cutting-edge technology and the latest medical facilities, Penang targets the mainland and Hong Kong markets, where treatments cost more.