MORE DIRECT FLIGHTS? Heavier traffic on weekends? These may be surface-level indicators that make Penang’s tourism scene look like it is faring well. However, senior hoteliers have claimed that the state may be approaching a glut in hotel rooms—this has caused a stir and a subsequent re-examination of the sector.
After all, the state has been a key contributor to Malaysia’s tourism for decades. The “Pearl of the Orient”, Penang’s traditional brand name, has the hallmarks of everything touristy—pristine hills, beaches, a mix of retail and heritage, not to mention man-made attractions like a bird parkin Seberang Perai to theme parks in Teluk Bahang. It remains a street food paradise.
Hotelier, Adrian Praveen, sounded a warning recently that there are simply too many rooms in the state. His assertion has the backing of the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang chapter chairman, Tony Goh, and his vice-president counterpart, Khoo Boo Lim. There are already approximately 17,000 rooms registered with MAH.
