Penang hotel owners are stepping up their offline and online marketing overseas, particularly for Chinese and Indian nationals who are now able to enter Malaysia without a visa.

In addition to promoting their hotels and tourism offerings in the state, Tony Goh, the chairman of the Penang Malaysian Hotel Association (MAH), stated that they also ran specials for their hotel rooms.

"The hotels have long offered a promotion package, but to draw in more visitors from China and India, the association and hotel operators have stepped up their efforts since the government granted visa-free entry.

When contacted by Bernama, he stated, "In addition to doing it online through the hotel's social media and website, there are also hotel representatives who go to the country concerned to do face-to-face promotions."

According to Goh, the government's offer of visa-free entry for visitors from a few nations is anticipated to result in a 20–30% increase in the number of visitors, primarily from China.

In the meantime, the state government was in talks with multiple Chinese airlines to increase the number of direct flights from the nation, according to State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee Chairman Wong Hon Wai. taking a plane to Malaysia.

"At the moment, there are two direct flights to Penang from China and none from India to the state. We are in talks with many Indian airlines about starting direct service to Penang," he stated.

According to Wong, the state government also intends to promote the state to travel agencies in the republic by holding a "roadshow" in China at the beginning of the following year.

"We are using a two-pronged strategy for the roadshow in China. We are promoting travel for individuals and small groups, but we are also offering seminar services for large groups in Penang, where we have multiple convention centers that can hold a large number of people," he continued.

When Bernama contacted Mohamad Ikram Izzat Roslan, the manager of Kampung Agong, he stated he is collaborating with over 20 travel agencies to advertise the village to foreign visitors, particularly those from China.

He remarked, "We hope that more people will come here with this visa-free entry."

Situated in Penaga, Kepala Batas, Kampung Agong features a traditional village concept that creates a distinct atmosphere with stunning views, verdant surroundings, and distinctive architectural replicas reminiscent of resorts abroad.