Penang tourism players seek financial aid from Penjana

While the tourism industry has applauded the Federal Government’s National Economic Recovery Plan (Penjana), the Penang tourism fraternity has offered feedback in hope of securing further aid for key industry players.

Malaysia Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang Chapter chairman Khoo Boo Lim said a meeting was held between them and the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry and Finance Ministry to discuss the RM1bil proposal under the Penjana Tourism Financing (PTF) fund.

He said while some of the proposals introduced as part of the PTF fund were valid, it could still be tweaked and improved further.

He said one of the key issues discussed was to seek the Federal Government’s help to ensure hotel employees’ futures, especially with the rise in unemployment among them as many hotels have been forced to close.

Khoo also hoped the Federal Government could further elaborate on the PTF fund’s mechanism and how businesses could be involved in the initiative.

Meanwhile, Association of Tourism Attraction Penang chairman Ch’ng Huck Theng said he hoped the Federal Government could introduce grants or other forms of incentives under the PTF fund to assist industry players in the tourism sector.

He suggested the Federal Government seek more potential sources of revenue, especially when the borders are gradually lifted in a safe and healthy manner.

“Without foreigners coming in (to Malaysia), we are solely surviving on domestic tourism.

“But luckily, there are signs of a good recovery (for the tourism industry),” he added. — Bernama