Tourism industry ecstatic at Penang making it into CNN Travel list

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Hot spot: Foreign and local tourists alike strolling along the narrow streets in the George Town heritage enclave in search of good food, murals and bargains in Penang.

GEORGE TOWN: Tourism industry players are excited and pleased with Penang being named by CNN Travel as one of the 17 best places to visit in 2017.

Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang chapter chairman Khoo Boo Lim said it was always good to be recognised inter­nationally.

“The accolade is a ‘strong’ marketing tool for hoteliers and agents to promote the state overseas.

“This will definitely help us to bring in more tourists who are keen to find out more about Penang. I am really happy about it,” he said.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had earlier said that the naming of Penang by CNN Travel makes Penang and Malaysia proud.

“This is good news to start the new year.

“I would like to congratulate and thank Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz for his help in promoting Penang’s tourism to the world,” he said.

Penang came in second after Prince Edward Island of Canada, and is one of the three destinations in Asia named on the list.

Penang has been described in the CNN Travel article (http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/06/travel/best-places-to-visit-in-2017/) published on Friday as a destination with one of Asia’s best street foods.

The article said Penang was arguably one of Asia’s best street food destinations. It offers a mix of traditional Malay, Chinese and Indian dishes, as well as fusion cuisines such as Baba Nyonya, or Peranakan, which incorporates regional ingredients and Chinese and Malay cooking methods.

Association of Tourism Attrac­tions Penang chairman Ch’ng Huck Theng said the industry players and state government had been working very hard to protect and promote the beauty of the state.

“We are reaping the rewards after years of hard work. We are also placed on top of many other lists for our food, culture, arts and the people,” he said.

Penang Hawker Association chairman Lam Tong Ying said he was proud that Penang made it into the list, especially with emphasis on Penang’s hawker food.

“Penang serves the best street food in Malaysia, and this is not the only thing we have, we also have nice food, nice scenery, nice seaside and nice people.

“These are what tourists love Penang for,” he added.