GEORGE TOWN: Penang's tourism industry received a major boost in the New Year when it was named one of the 17 best places to visit in 2017 by CNN.
Penang came in second after Prince Edward Island, Canada.
It is only one of three locations in Asia on the list, which includes destinations in Thailand and China.
The list was compiled after consultation with CNN experts from around the world about their favourite spots.
The Pearl of the Orient was singled out for its cuisine, among other factors, and acknowledged as having one of Asia's best street foods.
Welcoming the result, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng expressed his thanks to Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz for proactively promoting Penang to the world.
"This is good news to start the New Year.
"Penangites don’t need to go anywhere else, now that we are recognised as one of the 17 best places to visit," he said.
Lim also promised more tourism-related projects to further boost the tourism industry and continue to attract more visitors to the state.