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By TIN Media | Penang News Published 10 months ago on 23 January 2024
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PENANG:
Penang's cruise tourism has made a strong comeback to pre-pandemic levels, outperforming its previous performance.
The number of foreign visitors to Penang's coastlines increased to 573,178 last year, up 30.56% from 439,012 in 2022 and 39.52% from 409,943 in 2019.
Wong Hon Wai, the head of the state's Tourism and Creative Economy Committee, claims that this noteworthy rebound shows Penang's cruise tourism has not only recovered to pre- pandemic levels but has surpassed past performance as well.
He stated that 84 foreign ships docked at the Penang Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal in 2022.
He said that in 2023, this figure increased significantly by 85.71% to 156 ships.
"The rise in cruise ship arrivals and foreign visitors by cruise not only highlights Penang's burgeoning cruise tourism business but also highlights Penang's increasing standing as a top cruise destination.
"This has contributed to the growth of the economy in Penang and Malaysia," he stated today.
According to Wong, the Penang Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal's extension was made expressly to accommodate larger cruise ships, which can seat up to 12,000 passengers at once.
He said that the terminal had accomplished a historic first by successfully berthing two extremely large ships, with a combined length of about 700 meters.
In addition to increasing the terminal's throughput capacity, this calculated extension presents Penang as a warm and convenient stopover location for foreign cruise lines.
"The commitment to world-class facilities reflects Penang's dedication to providing a seamless and enjoyable experience for both cruise operators and passengers," he stated.
According to Wong, the top 10 nations of cruise passengers who arrived in Penang in 2023 demonstrated the diversity of international visitors.
He pointed out that Singapore topped the list, with India and Indonesia following, highlighting the rising popularity of cruise vacations among Asian nations.
The Philippines came in at number four, highlighting how popular cruises are becoming throughout Southeast Asia.
"The United States and China are ranked fifth and sixth, respectively.
"South Korea's ranking of seventh indicates the significant influence of East Asian travelers in the cruise sector.
"The list is rounded off with categories for Thailand, Australia, and other non-Commonwealth
"In summary, these data highlight the significant growth of the Penang Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal, showcasing its strong post-pandemic recovery, increased international ship traffic, and a surge in passenger numbers," he stated.
According to Wong, Penang is looking forward to receiving an unprecedented number of cruise visitors this year, which will strengthen its standing as a major cruise destination worldwide.
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