MAB aims for leisure, business market with Penang-Kuching route

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Penang local tourism business personnel introduce their services to travel agents.

Penang local tourism business personnel introduce their services to travel agents.

PENANG: Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) is aiming for both business and leisure market with its newly launched Penang-Kuching direct flight route.

Asked on the choice of the route, MAB assistant manager of sales (Brunei and Sarawak) Alias Suut said: “We see potential in the route due to high traffic of business-related travels within the region.”

He said while the national carrier’s primary target market for the route were premium customers – mainly corporate flights between the two destinations, it would not be discounting the tourism or leisure segment.

The MAB held a business-to-business (B2B) session at the Cititel here on Saturday to promote and expose the route and tourism between the two destinations. Participants of the session included several prominent local travel agencies such as Inter-Continental Travel Centre Sdn Bhd (Inter-Continental Travel) and Borneo Exploration Tours and Travel Sdn Bhd (Borneo Exploration).

The objective was to introduce travel agents from Sarawak to local attractions and accommodations as a way to promote tourism between the two destinations.

Inter-Continental Travel managing director D Azizah A Zaidan noted that the session had been extremely helpful in stimulating collaborations between Penang and Sarawak in the tourism industry.

She suggested that regular sessions should be held in order to update agencies on their operations as well as to keep travel services and package competitive and attractive.

“While both destinations offer different attractions and incentives for travellers and tourists, there are many cultural similarities between Penang and Sarawak, which would benefit tourism between the two destinations. After all, we both share the same language – the same Hokkien – making us closer,” she said.

Back on the new Penang-Kuching route, Azizah opined that it would appeal to those from both the business and leisure segments in view of the timing of the flight.

“The timing of flight runs from around mid-morning to early afternoon – perfect for the leisure segment, as well as being an attractive returning flight option for business travellers.”

Meanwhile, Borneo Exploration assistant manager for marketing and operations Billy Kitang believed that Penangites would enjoy the natural and cultural heritage attractions in Sarawak, while Sarawakians would find excitement in Penang’s food culture and leisure attractions.

Additionally, Alias said since Penang experienced a high flow of business traffic – primarily due to its prominence in the manufacturing, electrical and electronics industries, coupled with its airport being the nation’s second largest international airport – would most likely help Sarawak tap the international traffic via Penang International Airport.