January 10, 2026 BATU KAWAN: Penang's tourism sector is projected to maintain strong growth this year, with over eight million tourists expected to arrive via Penang International Airport. State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai attributed the growth to several new international flight routes, particularly direct services from Asian and Southeast Asian countries. "Last...
January 5, 2026 GEORGE TOWN: The new shopping centre at Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC) will complement the area's mixed-use development, supporting business and tourism without creating a retail glut. IJM Perennial Development director Datuk Tony Ling Thou Lung said the retail component is part of an integrated project including a convention centre, offices and hotels, and is not intended...
Penang continues to be a top destination for both domestic and foreign tourists during the school holidays and Christmas celebrations, with hotel bookings showing strong performance, particularly in major tourist areas. — NSTP/DANIAL SAAD December 26, 2025 GEORGE TOWN: Penang continues to be a top destination for both domestic and foreign tourists during the school holidays and Christmas...
Jetsetters: Tourists from China waiting to board their plane at Penang International Airport, in Bayan Lepas. 04 Dec 2025 GEORGE TOWN: With Chinese tourists shunning Japan and Thailand’s Hat Yai, Penang is poised for a year-end tourism bonanza. Penang tourism committee chairman Wong Hong Wai said Indonesians and Singaporeans, along with Malaysians who normally prefer Hat Yai, are expected to...
08 Nov 2025 GEORGE TOWN: Penang is the best island in South-East Asia for food, according to a new list of the region's "best islands" by National Geographic. In its Travel section, the publication said Penang earned the second place in its list due to its food, blending heritage, culture and world class dining. “As far as Southeast Asian culinary escapes go, it does not get much better than...
Thu, 21 August 2025 GEORGE TOWN, Aug 21 — Penang said today that it has remained as a main medical tourism destination in Malaysia after recording RM888.7 million in revenue last year. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state recorded 412,944 foreign patients last year, according to figures collected from 17 members of Penang Centre of Medical Tourism. “As of August 18, Penang has...
IN 2024, Penang made aviation history. For the first time ever, Penang International Airport overtook Kota Kinabalu International Airport in terms of aircraft movement. May 20, 2025 According to data from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), Penang now ranks second in Malaysia for total aircraft movements, just behind Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), and ahead of Kota...
May 19, 2025 THE Penang government has recorded a massive 218.86% increase in tourist arrivals from China in 2024 compared to 2023, following successful efforts to expand its niche in the Chinese tourism market. This was revealed during the State Legislative Assembly sitting after Ong Ah Teong (PH–Batu Lancang) posed an oral question regarding the state’s strategy and achievements in...
Saturday, 28 Dec 2024 Hotel bookings near capacity amid year-end holiday season GEORGE TOWN: The hotel booking rates in Penang, particularly in the city centre and Batu Ferringhi areas, have reached between 90% and 100% since last Friday, says the Malaysian Hotel Association. Its Penang chapter chairman Datuk Tony Goh said the increase is largely driven by the arrival of domestic tourists,...
Lonely Planet has listed Penang as the second best place for solo travellers. NSTP file pic July 25, 2024 GEORGE TOWN: Penang has been named as one of the seven best places in Southeast Asia for solo travellers. Lonely Planet listed Penang as second after Singapore. Others listed were Danang in Vietnam, Siem Reap in Cambodia, Bangkok in Thailand, Hanoi in Vietnam and Bali in...
June 18, 2024 KUALA LUMPUR: The revised Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) is expected to renew interest in the programme and spur the high-end segment of the property market. Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd (HLIB) Research in a note today said the new MM2H guidelines, which received cabinet approval, are more relaxed than the 2021 version, with reduced requirements for fixed deposits, offshore income,...
June 6, 2024 Penang’s tourism outlook is growing tremendously well following the introduction of numerous direct flights to the island lately. Known for its food haven and heritage enclave, Penang has seen a surge in international visitors over the years. Several direct flights to Penang have been introduced recently, including Juneyao Airlines’ inaugural flight from Shanghai Pudong...
Thursday, 06 Jun 2024 PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has beat Singapore and Thailand as the most loved country in Asia in a ranking by American financial website Insider Monkey. It beat Singapore, which was at third place after Taiwan at second, Thailand at 11th and Indonesia at 12th place respectively. The New York-based website said Malaysia is known for its diverse mix of cultures and religions,...
Wednesday, 10 Apr 2024 GEORGE TOWN: The implementation of the Penang Mutiara Route Light Rail Transit (LRT) project is seen as a beneficial alternative transportation option for residents to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance urban mobility by connecting urban and suburban areas. The LRT line, expected to run from Silicon Island to Komtar and crossing to Penang Sentral in Seberang Perai, is also...
Tourism Malaysia director-general P. Manoharan speaks to reporters at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang April 1, 2024. — Bernama pic 01 Apr 2024 SEPANG, April 1 — Tourism Malaysia is confident that the target of over five million tourist arrivals from China can be achieved this year, supported by the frequency of flights from China to Malaysia. Its director-general P....
Electrifying pull: The piling works being done for the monopole transmission towers next to the Penang Bridge. The RM500m project is expected to be completed in November. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star Tuesday, 05 Mar 2024 GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Bridge, long an attraction in the state, will get an electrifying new look soon with the installation of aesthetic decorative lights on transmission...
The historic Fort Cornwallis in George Town is on the brink of unveiling its newly renovated south moat to the public. - File pic credit (Buletin Mutiara) By NST Regional - March 4, 2024 GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has announced that the historic Fort Cornwallis in George Town is on the brink of unveiling its newly renovated south moat to the public on July 7, Buletin...
GEORGE TOWN — Penang welcomed two renowned cruises, Genting Dream and Royal Caribbean Spectrum Of The Seas which concurrently docked at Penang Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal yesterday. In a proactive effort to bolster cruise tourism and strengthen partnerships within the industry, a courtesy visit by Penang State Tourism and Creative Economy (PETACE) chairman Wong Hon Wai and key stakeholders to...
The street art in George Town is more than just an attraction; it's a conversation between the city and its inhabitants, past and present. - File pic credit (Penang Global Tourism) By NST Regional - February 18, 2024 GEORGE TOWN, a pulsating core of Penang, stands out not just for its rich history and diverse culture but also for its transformation into an open-air gallery of street...
Penang welcomed Flydubai’s inaugural flight from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year yesterday. — AFP pic Sunday, 11 Feb 2024 2:14 PM GEORGE TOWN, Feb 11 — Penang welcomed Flydubai’s inaugural flight from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year yesterday. State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee...