BERLIN: The ‘greatest tourism show on earth’, as the ongoing Berlin’s International Tourism Bourse (ITB) is touted, has become the setting for a number of states in Malaysia at the gigantic Malaysia pavilion.Penang is one such state, making a strong pitch as a tourism destination here by highlighting its heritage sites, its spicy and diverse cuisine and also medical tourism which the state hopes will lure more tourists in the future.
Penang Global Tourism Sdn Bhd managing director Ooi Geok Ling said that she was networking at the ITB with tour operators, travel agents and other players engaged in the promotion of travel and tourism.
“I am here to promote Penang as a destination as part of the rebranding exercise. Penang like Singapore is an island but, unlike Singapore, Penang is a beach island. We offer sun and sea, clear blue pristine skies and a diverse cuisine that reflects the Malay, Indian and Chinese culinary cultures,” she said in an interview with Bernama at the Malaysia pavilion at the ITB.
This was the 36th time Malaysia participated in the annual tourism exhibition.
“We are pitching here for our heritage sites. We have a ‘living’ heritage reflected in the melting pot of races and their cultural trappings. Food is one of the attractions of Penang. Tourism provides direct and indirect employment, and is a source of livelihood for many self-dependent people,” Ooi said.
Tourism, she stressed, was the second most important source of revenue after manufacturing for Penang.
“Indeed, tourism is the second largest contributor to the state’s GDP,” she maintained. — Bernama