GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) and Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) today formed an alliance to strengthen connections and reinvigorate Penang economy.
PCEB and MAG fortified their commitments by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to further extend MAG's role to support and facilitate connectivity for business travellers and business events in Penang.
The MoU was inked between PCEB chief executive officer Ashwin Gunasekeran and Malaysia Airlines' global head of sales for Malaysia Roslan Ismail.
It was witnessed by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and MAG group chief executive officer Captain Izham Ismail.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony here, Chow said the state government clearly understood the importance of collaboration in bringing the industry together and assisting each other to advance.
"This MoU is in preparation for the reopening of the country's borders. Although it may not happen now, it can in a month or two.
"The state is cautiously optimistic that the borders will reopen soon. However, with the surge in Covid-19 cases, new considerations may have to be made," he said.
Chow said Penang would be able to provide value-added services to Business Event (BE) organisers, notably in terms of special airfare fares, owing to its important partner MAG.
He added that PCEB was also in talks with MAG about charter flights for special events, which speaks well for Penang and MAG when they go out for bids.
"I have credence that MAG via Malaysia Airlines and Firefly will add more direct connections to Penang and build Penang as the country's second international hub. I am confident that this relationship will be critical in helping Penang and the industry expand in leaps and bounds," he said.
Captain Izham said Penang continues to be a preferred international and domestic hub for MAG by facilitating air connectivity to and from Penang for business and leisure travellers alike through Malaysia Airlines and Firefly.
"Today's MoU signing signifies a renewed hope and commitment to stimulate the recovery and demand of BE in Penang.
"MAG will be offering exclusive incentive packages, where BE organisers and delegates will gain access to savings on activities across our airlines and non-airlines businesses.
"We look forward to further extending our support to the State Bureau's initiative to reinvigorate domestic tourism and business travel for the economic recovery of this sector.
"As a member of the Travel Safe Alliance Malaysia (TSAM) and a caring organisation, the safety of our passengers remains our utmost priority. We are committed to providing safe, seamless and hygienic experience for all our guests," he added.
Ashwin, meanwhile, said PCEB had acquired 28 hybrid conferences for the year 2022 as well as 11 for the year 2023.