Thursday 20 September 2012

Tourism forum wraps up on a rousing note

GEORGE TOWN: The Upper Penang Road took on a carnival atmosphere as some 100 dignitaries from the 5th Tourism Promotion Organisation (TPO) were there to experience the various local cultural performances.
From a rousing warrior drum welcome to boria and chingay, it was truly a mind-blowing showcase for the international delegates. Also featured were local handicraft, traditional games like congkak and gasing as well as cooking demonstrations. Ten paragliders were also seen hovering around the area now known as the Unesco Heritage Enclave yesterday.
Earlier, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was present at the TPO Friendship Park in front of the Bayview George Town Hotel to unveil a 2.7m-tall sculpture. Penang Municipal Council president Datuk Patahiyah Ismail said the globe-shaped creation symbolises the understanding, cooperation and networking among the member cities for a common goal, which is the development of tourism in Asia Pacific.
The member cities are Dalian, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Qingdoa, Sanya, Shanghai, Shenyang, Urumqi, Weihai and Xian in China; Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kitakyushu, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Nagasaki, Naha, Oita, Osaka, Saga, Sasebo and Shimmonoseki in Japan; and Andong, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju, Gyeongju, Jeonju, Ulsan in South Korea.
The four cities from Malaysia are Ipoh, George Town, Kota Kinabalu and Malacca while others are Brisbane (Australia), Jakarta (Indonesia), Auckland (New Zealand), Manila (Philippines), Vladivostok (Russia), Bangkok (Thailand), Honolulu (United States) and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam).
“The sculpture made of stainless steel which has a pedestal below symbolises the human networking among the member cities,” she said. The dignitaries, comprising mayors, vice-mayors and delegates from several countries later enjoyed a ride on 60 trishaws through the inner city of George Town. The forum ended with the TPO Best Awards presentation at the Bayview Beach Resort in Batu Ferringhi last night.
-thestar online.

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