Hoteliers: Free port status will benefit Penang

GEORGE TOWN: Restoring Penang's free port status would give a boost to the tourism industry and related sectors, said the Penang Hoteliers Association (PHA).

Its chairman, Datuk Lim Mee Lee, said the association supported the idea as it would benefit the people of Penang, as well as enable the industry to become more competitive. "The tourism industry in Penang is getting less attractive now, amidst competition from other countries like Singapore and Hong Kong," he told reporters at a seminar on the impact of free port status on the tourism sector here. The seminar is organised by the Penang Barisan Nasional.

Lim said with free port status, Penang would be able to attract more tourists, thus bringing benefits not only to the tourism industry but also related sectors like hawkers, hotels and shopping malls. "Furthermore, it will also enable Penang to be more competitive in its products and services offering, as well as encourage the industry players to improve their quality. Penang island, since the colonial days, was a free port until the status was revoked in 1969.

Meanwhile, Dr Lean Hooi Hooi, an associate professor at the School of Social Sciences (Economics Program), Universiti Sains Malaysia, said besides attracting more tourists, the free port status would attract foreign investments in the tourism segment. Dr Lean, who is one of the speakers, said the free port status would attract tourists and therefore, potential investors would invest in hotels and shops to cater to the increase in demand.

However, she said, Penang was not ready with the status, amidst the lack of infrastructure and human capital, adding that huge trade, good infrastructure and technologies were needed to become a free port.

-Bernama.