Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng will lead a 50 person delegates from Penang to Guangzhou, China from 31st August till 2nd September 2011 for the China (Guangzhou) International Tourism Industry Expo 2011. The expo will be held at Poly World Trade Center Expo, Guangzhou from September 2nd – 5th, 2011.The delegation will comprise members from MATTA, Penang Peranakan Mansion, REHDA and Malaysian Association of Hotels and Budget Hotel Association.
The market in Guangzhou and China has vast potential and therefore, the delegation is vigorously promoting Penang there. Over 30 countries including Malaysia will be participating in this Expo with over 1000 booths. There is a need to expand Penang’s presence in the critical China tourism market if Penang wans to transform itself into a destination of choice for tourists. Without the China tourism market, it would be difficult to achieve Penang aspirations of relying on more than 50% of its GDP on services and the tourism sector. Tourism will be not only help Penang achieve its aspirations of being a high-income economy but also allow all sectors to benefit directly as business is generally conducted on a cash basis.
There is a need for the vast Chinese tourism market to discover Penang which is famous not only for its food, but also the seascapes and the beauty of our hills and island. Coupled with a UNESCO World Heritage City in George Town, Penang offers a unique yet a certain familiarity for Chinese tourists who are comfortable in the culture and language. In this expo, The Penang State Tourism Development and Culture office will be promoting Penang together with Tourism Malaysia. The Chief Minister will also officiate the opening of the Malaysia-Penang Pavilion at the expo.
The Chief Minister of Penang YAB Lim Guan Eng and the Penang delegation will pay a courtesy visit to the City Mayor of Zhong San and also top leaders of Guangzhou province to establish goodwill and friendship ties between both states and cities. The Chief Minister will be accompanied by his wife YB Betty Chew and State EXCO members comprising of YB Danny Law and YB Lim Hock Seng.
Released by:
Cheong Yin Fan
Press Secretary to Chief Minister of Penang
槟州首席部长新闻秘书张燕芬于2011年9月1日在槟城乔治市发表的文告:
槟州首席部长林冠英从8月31日起至9月2日，率领一个50人代表团，从槟城飞往广州，出席在广州举行的2011年中国广东国际旅游产业博览会。这项博览会将从2011年9月2日至5日，在广州保利世界贸易中心博览馆举行。这次的代表团团员，包括槟州旅游协会（MATTA）、侨生博物馆、马来西亚房地产商公会（REHDA）及大马酒店业者及廉价酒店协会的代表等。
基于广州及中国的市场深具发展潜能，因此这次的代表团将大力借机会促销槟城。共有超过1千个参展摊格、以及包括马来西亚在内的30多个国家参与这次的博览会。要让槟城成为游客的首选地，槟城有必要扩展它在中国这个关键市场的存在。没有中国这个庞大的市场，将会导致槟城难以实现它的“50%国内生产总值以服务及旅游为导向”的愿景。旅游业不只能够协助槟州达致一个高收入经济的愿景，其他的相关领域也将从中受惠，因为旅游的商业模式皆以现金交易为多。
我们有必要让广大的中国市场发现槟城，发现这个不只是因美食闻名，但是也拥有美丽海滩、宜人的高山和风景之岛屿。获得联合国教科文组织颁布世界文化遗产城地位的槟城，更能够给中国游客提供一个独特的旅游体验，在他们所熟悉、舒服的文化和语言环境下旅游的感觉。透过这次的博览会，槟州旅游发展及文化委员会办事处将与马来西亚旅游局密切合作。首长也将会为博览会的《马来西亚槟城展览馆》主持开幕礼。
首长林冠英也将在这次的行程中，率领槟城代表团礼貌拜会中山市长以及广州政府的高级官员，以建立两地之间更密切的友好关系。
与同首长同行者，包括首长夫人周玉清、槟州行政议员罗兴强及林峰成等。
首长新闻秘书
张燕芬启