Penang gears up for music fest

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THE Pearl of the Orient is set to welcome several thousand foreign visitors next year when the Penang World Music Festival 2012 makes a comeback after a three-year break.

The event, to be held from March 30 to April 1 next year at the Penang Botanic Garden’s picturesque Quarry Recreational Park, features a talented ensemble of international acts and has drawn much interest from music lovers both locally and abroad.

Towards that end, official tour operator Discovery Overland Holidays (DOH) will be packaging the festival as part of its inbound tour offerings for various markets.

And with the company having an extensive network worldwide, managing director Erik Ewe is optimistic of luring around 1,000 visitors a day to the island.

This, he said, will be a great boost to the state’s tourism industry and economy.

Looking forward: (From left to right)Law, Primmer, UCSI Communications managing director Gracie Geikie and Ewe during the press conference to announce Discovery Overland Holiday's appointment as official tour operator.

“We’ve already received numerous requests for bookings. Everyone stands to benefit, from hotel operators to retail outlets, eateries and taxi drivers,” he told a press conference at Hard Rock Hotel Penang on Thursday.

State Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said the hosting of the festival proves that Penang is serious in its goal to become an international and intelligent city.

Hard Rock Hotel Penang general manager John Primmer hotel said the hotel was delighted to be part of the event: “It makes sense, as we’re a music-centric establishment.”

The event is organised by Law’s office together with UCSI Communications Sdn Bhd and supported by Straits Quay, KDU College Penang Campus, Penang Global Tourism and Virtual Malaysia.

Prospective bands are now undergoing selection, with musicians from Australia, India, China, Korea, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Africa and Malaysia vying for places.

Tickets are available online at www.ticketexpress.com.my and priced at RM90 per day for adults and RM45 for children aged five to 12. Three day passes are also available at RM220 for adults and RM120 for kids.

International visitors may also book packages and tickets at DOH’s website, www.discoveryoverland.com or at its branch offices.

For details, visit the festival website at www.penangworldmusic.com.