SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 16 October 2019 - In conjunction with the Penang State Tourism's year-long campaignto usher in the excitement of Visit Malaysia Year2020, the Penang Global Tourism launched 'ExperiencePenang 2020' last evening, to a host of media friends, trade partners andbusiness associates at PARKROYAL on Beach Road in Singapore.

According to statistics from PenangImmigration, visitor arrivals hit a record high for the period Jan-Aug 2019, witha 207.67% increase to 89,535 from 29,101 in the same period last year. Of thevisitor arrivals comprising mainly from SoutheastAsia, east Asia, Australia, the UK, and the US, Singapore registered as thesecond highest.

The 'ExperiencePenang 2020' campaign, with the tagline TheDiversity of Asia, encompasses diverse elements of beauty, fun,amusement, excitement and satisfaction. With the rise in demand for experiential travel, the campaign aims tohighlight all of Penang's splendour to visitors locally and abroad showcasingevery aspect of Penang's amazing diversity in culture, heritage, arts, food aswell as its natural surroundings of sandy beaches, breathtaking hills andcityscapes.

Shining spotlight onsome of Penang's local attractions and festivals, the event brought together adiverse mix of partners across retail, hotel, travel, dining, nightlife,culture and entertainment itineraries. Amongst the highlights are some of theworld's first, including the World's Highest Ropes Course Challenge, World'sLongest Water Slide at 1,111-meter-long, World's Highest AltitudeStressed Ribbon Bridge, World's First Tower CurvedSkywalk, World's First FreeStanding Vertical Drop Slide, and World's First Tropical Butterfly& Insect Sanctuary. Fromluxurious city-highs to unconventional adventures, epicurean and culturaldelights, guests had the opportunity to witness some of Penang's unendingexcitement.

Officiating the launch event, Guest-of-Honour, YB YeohSoon Hin, Penang State EXCO for Tourism, Arts, Culture & Heritage (PETACH)shared a series of exciting plans for Penang in 2020, "The tourism sector is one of the state's economic maincontributors that is progressing well each year and have hit an all-time highof 7.79 million passengers last year, an increase from 7.2 million passengersachieved in 2017. Penang has been enjoying renewed adoration both by local andforeign tourists, and Singapore has always remained in the top 3 among totalinternational passenger arrivals in the past 5 years. Adding to this unendingexcitement, visitors to Penang can also experience the amazing new attractions,festivals and happenings all year round - presenting an ideal destination for atruly unique experience of Asia's diversity."

Ooi ChokYan, CEO of Penang Global Tourism said, " Most visitors to Penang are familiar with Georgetown's history, culture and accolades, but there is more to Penangthan that. Apart from the expansive tourism business, Penang is also ho me to a diversemix of cities, islands and entire countries for adventures -- and one of themajor developments for 2020 is centred on global connectivity. Plans in placeinclude new flights and frequencies, expansion projects at main tourist arrivalgateways at Penang International Airport and Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal;improved transport infrastructure at Penang Sentral (comprehensive public transportation hub integratingbus, railway and sea transportation), Penang LRT project across a 30km route,new hotels and more."

From time-honoured recipes to heritage tradesand arts, Experience Penang 2020 aims to engagelocal and foreign visitors through sharing more about the unconventionalexperiences in Penang - broadly organised into the three key pillars of:

1.     Culture / Heritage: Showcasing Penang'slocal heritage and rediscovery through Malaysia's best-restored and re-adaptivetraditional architecture and heritage trades.

2.     Nature / Adventure: Explore thefascinating world of Penang's lush greenery and landscapes, from the more laid-back walking trails, to anadventure throve up in the hills.

3.     Food / Art / Lifestyle: FeaturingPenang's most immersive experiences evolving on the modern pursuit of foodieculture, street-art, entertainment and nightlife.

For more information, please visit: https://mypenang.gov.my/ .

Hi-res images:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7b3l3ag45fjfblc/AABMZ13_sUBw8jMPZmAL0hIUa?dl=0

Penang Global Tourism

Set up to promote, market and generate tourism for the Penang State inMalaysia, Penang Global Tourism (PGT) is a tourism bureau which serves as afocal point for coordinating all tourism activities. PGT works closely withvarious key tourism industry players locally and abroad. PGT participates inoverseas sales missions at world-renowned trade shows, and the exposure hascontributed to Penang's popularity as a destination, investment and home ofchoice for many from around the world. For more information, visit: https://mypenang.gov.my/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/penangglobal.tourism/

Instagram: @penang.experience

Hashtag:#ExperiencePenang

TikTok ID:experiencepenang

Experience Penang 2020

Experience Penang 2020 (EPY2020) is a campaign by thePenang State Committee for Tourism, Arts, Culture and Heritage to promoteenriching, authentic and immersive local experience for visiting travellers. The campaign showcases every aspect of Penang'samazing diversity through its culture, heritage, arts, food as well as itsnatural surroundings. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, culture andheritage is at the root of everything in Penang's capital city, George Town.Amid the city's fascinating colonial buildings and century old trading shophouses,you will find its characteristics of past and present, places of worshipdisplaying the peoples' rich and diverse spiritual faiths, clan houses and itsmuch raved about culinary cuisines. With one of Asia's greatest culinarytraditions living on in Penang's coffee shops and fine dining establishments,an exciting escapade awaits!