PETACE: PENANG’S TOURISM SECTOR CONTINUES TO ATTRACT GLOBAL HOSPITALITY PLAYERS

GEORGE TOWN, June 22 (Bernama) -- Penang’s tourism sector continues to attract global hospitality players, despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years.

Penang state executive councillor for tourism and creative economy (PETACE), Yeoh Soon Hin said the latest signing of Intercontinental Penang Resort by United Kingdom-based IHG Hotels and Resort (IHG), one of the world’s largest luxury hotel chains, signifies international investor’s confidence in Penang’s tourism industry.

He said the collaboration between IHG and THR Hotel (Penang) Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Tradewinds Corp Bhd, would transform the former Penang Mutiara Beach Resort in Teluk Bahang, here, into an IHG-branded luxury beach resort.

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“It shows that Penang garners investors’ confidence and trust in the tourism sector despite being clouded by the impact of the pandemic for the past two years.

“Penang has shown resilience for tourism sustainability and the ability to bounce back better or even thrive,” he said at a press conference, here, today.

He said the former Penang Mutiara Beach Resort was a five-star luxury resort but it closed down on March 27, 2006, for “renovation until further notice”.

Yeoh said the destiny of the hotel continued to be a topic of discussion among the locals and industry players for 16 years, and this partnership is set to revitalise the hotel.

To be opened in 2025, the new luxury resort would feature 355 rooms and suites, a private enclave of six villas, a holistic wellness village with 10 treatment villas, and a relaxation pavilion.

With the Teluk Bahang Fishing Village, Penang National Park, and the Penang Tropical Spice Garden as its neighbours, guests would enjoy unobstructed views of the Malacca Straits’ white sand beaches, clear emerald waters and mountainous forests.

Facilities include three swimming pools, five restaurants and bars, as well as 1,000 square metres of meeting and event space which includes a glass marquee and private lawn for garden weddings and special occasions.

It would also feature the brand’s world-renowned Club InterContinental Lounge offering views of the Straits of Malacca.

Meanwhile, Yeoh said the country’s transition to the endemic phase of COVID-19 also helped Penang to be more attractive to international investors, on top of the state’s matured tourism ecosystem.

“The investment from Marriot International (Courtyard by Marriot Penang at Macalister Road) and ONYX Hospitality Group (AMARI Spice Penang) during the pandemic, clearly highlights Penang’s indelible impression to the international investor.

“PETACE will overarch our strategy together with several agencies to explore new opportunities which in the long run, will add value to our ecosystem by bringing the whole industry in Penang to a greater height,” he said.

-- BERNAMA