Sun Sep 15 16:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Penang Tourism Stakeholders Call for Increased Budget Allocation in 2025

**GEORGE TOWN:** Tourism associations in Penang are urging the government to increase the allocation for the tourism sector in Budget 2025. They believe this will be crucial in boosting international promotion and attracting more foreign tourists to the state.

Datuk Tony Goh, chairman of the Malaysian Hotel Association Penang chapter, highlighted the need to expand promotional campaigns beyond just a few countries, advocating for a global reach. He particularly emphasized the importance of enhancing Penang’s visibility in markets like Europe and Russia.

Goh also called for increased funding to organize roadshows showcasing Penang’s convention centers, which attract not only tourists but also business visitors, contributing significantly to the local economy. He also suggested that tourism tax revenues be split equally between the federal and state governments, enabling states to invest more directly in their own tourism sectors.

Clement Liang, president of the Penang Tourist Guides Association, stressed the need for infrastructure improvements in tourist areas, including adequate parking facilities for sightseeing buses. He also emphasized the importance of multilingual tourism brochures, suggesting the inclusion of languages such as Russian, South African, and European languages to cater to a wider range of tourists.

Mohd Latiff Fatteh Mohamed, president of Mutiara Tour Guides, reported that his association had discussed Budget 2025 with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, advocating for a list of licensed tour guides to be available at all entry points, ensuring tourists have access to legitimate services. He emphasized the crucial role of licensed guides in assisting foreign tourists, particularly those who have completed competency courses for their license renewal.

Penang’s economy has experienced significant growth in 2023 and 2024, driven largely by the rebound in tourism, with passenger movements reaching almost seven million in 2023.

These requests from various tourism stakeholders in Penang are likely to be considered by the government as they prepare for the upcoming Budget 2025, scheduled to be tabled on October 18th.

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