With leisure arrivals plumped up by a UNESCO world heritage honour, Penang is now banking on new hotels and convention centres to boost its MICE fortunes, writes S Puvaneswary

Penang has long been known for its addictive street food, well-preserved local culture and heritage, and beautiful beaches that are close to the city. Popular with holidaymakers and relatively unknown to business event planners, Penang’s reputation only took a turn for the better – from a MICE point of view – after its state capital, George Town, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.

Inbound tour operators in Malaysia told TTGmice that the destination has become easier to sell since then.

Comparing year-on-year growth of meetings and incentives to Penang, Luxury Tours Malaysia manager, Ganneesh Ramaa, said his company had seen a 25 per cent growth in 2013 and the appeal for the destination was mainly from multinational companies with offices in Asia and small incentive groups from Eastern Europe which appreciated the destination’s offering of beaches, shopping, culture attractions and good food.

Ganneesh added: “For longhaul markets, Penang is usually twinned with Kuala Lumpur and the average stay in Malaysia is at least five nights. For Asian groups, Penang is usually a mono destination, with average stays of three to four nights.”

He also noted that the completion of the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge – commonly known as the second Penang bridge – on March 1 this year had made Penang far more accessible. The bridge links Batu Kawan on the Malaysian mainland with Batu Maung on the island.

“With the second Penang bridge, a coach ride from Kuala Lumpur to the island takes only five hours. Before that, access via the first bridge took around six hours,” said Ganneesh, adding that overland access offers a cheaper way to combine Kuala Lumpur with Penang.

According to Ganneesh, return flights on the national carrier between the two destinations cost around RM200 (US$62.50) on economy class whereas a coach trip for 35 people costs RM60 per pax.

“It’s also more convenient for delegates because after checking out of their hotel in the capital, delegates can travel by coach directly to their hotel in Penang. The flight time from Kuala Lumpur to Penang is only an hour but that excludes time at the airport for (immigration clearance and luggage collection), and the time needed to travel from the airport to the hotel.”

Also thankful for the new bridge is Saini Vermeulen, head of international sales, Panorama Tours Malaysia. He recalled: “Five years ago, it used to be a challenge (bringing) more than 800 delegates (to Penang) at one time. There were insufficient flight capacity between Kuala Lumpur and Penang.”

Besides bringing about a rise in arrivals, George Town’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site has also led to a boom in property value in the state. Many pre-war heritage buildings in the inner city of George Town have been purchased by private individuals, preserved and converted into boutique hotels and restaurants.

Today Penang has 15,000 hotel rooms, of which 8,000 are in the four- and five-star categories.

New hotels that recently opened include the 180-room Royale Bintang Penang and the 220-room Four Points by Sheraton Penang. Royale Bintang Penang, located in the heart of George Town, targets business travellers and offers a ballroom for  400 pax and four meeting rooms. Four Points by Sheraton Penang in Tanjung Bungah is outfitted with 1,100m² of flexible meeting and function space, including two ballrooms that offer great views of the sea.

By the end of 2014, Penang will gain 1,240 more hotel rooms.

One future hotel development to watch for is The Rice Miller Hotel & Residences. Occupying a restored 19th century property where the Rice Miller godown once stood, the hotel will offer 45 luxury suites and 21 residence suites.

“It will be an ideal location for high society parties, business gatherings, photo exhibitions and destination weddings,” said Thansita Sirapastuwanon, director of sales and marketing for The Rice Miller Hotel & Residences.

“Facilities will include six F&B outlets, a fitness centre, an infinity pool, a spa offering hammam treatments and event spaces equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual and lighting systems.”

Penang will also see a boost in its conference and exhibition capabilities through the new Subterranean Penang International Convention & Exhibition Centre (SPICE) Arena and the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC).

SPICE, formerly known as the Penang International Sports Arena, completed major renovations last year to the tune of RM25 million, said Khoo Teck Chong, general manager of SP Setia Property Division (North).

SPICE’s pillarless arena on the second floor can accommodate large conferences with up to 9,000 delegates. This massive space is supported by four other meeting rooms.

The arena is just one of five components of SPICE. The remaining infrastructure – including a convention centre, an aquatic centre, 42 lots of retail outlets and a 400-room business class hotel – is expected to complete in 2016.

Since opening its doors, SPICE has played host to a two-day, 5,000-pax conference in December 2013 by Singapore’s Riway International, and an 8,000-pax QNET international convention, V-CON, from May 7 to 13, 2014.

Khairie Yusoff, events sales manager at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, noted that SPICE has drawn large events to Penang, which benefits four- and five-star hotels in the area.

“We got around 300 room nights from V-CON,” he revealed.
Due to be completed in 2017, the PWCC at The Light’s commercial precinct is being developed by IJM Land and Suntec Penang, a subsidiary of Suntec International. The centrepiece of this venue is a 10,000m2 column-free multipurpose hall that can be divided into smaller spaces or be converted into a 9,000-seat arena for concerts. It is suitable for exhibitions, conventions, corporate events and private functions.

Meanwhile, the state government has also pumped in money to turn the streets of George Town into an interesting showcase for street art. There are currently 52 paintings in George Town alone, and more street art of good calibre, drawn by locals, have appeared elsewhere in Penang.

But a more definitive MICE move by the state government is its push for a state convention bureau to be established by end of this year. In mid-August Danny Law Heng Kiang, Penang state minister for Tourism Development announced the appointment of David Hall, senior partner at Adelaide-based David Hall & Associates, as a consultant to set up the structure of Penang International Convention and Exhibition Bureau (PICEB) and recommend a sustainable funding model and potential candidates for the COO’s position.

Law said the bureau would be a division under Penang Global Tourism.

While many inbound agents agree that the bureau will build awareness for Penang and its offerings, views differ on whether it will succeed in generating more business for the state without cannibalising business going into other Malaysian cities.

Diethelm Travel Malaysia’s managing director, Manfred Kurz, opined that the bureau would compete with Sarawak Convention Bureau and Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau. On the other hand, Anthony Wong, group managing director of Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel, believes that Penang and Sarawak appeal to different markets. Wong explained: “Heritage, shopping and entertainment are Penang’s strengths. Sarawak’s strengths lie in its culture, heritage and nature. Penang is more likely to compete for business with neighbouring Thailand and Indonesia.”

Ideas

One-day city tour of Penang

Start your delegates’ day with a guided walking tour of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, George Town.

The first stop is at the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, once the home of a rich baba – a Straits Chinese gentleman – more than a century ago. Built at the close of the 19th century, the mansion is preserved and recreated to offer a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle, customs and traditions of Penang’s old Peranakan community.

After the visit, walk on to King Street, the historic core of George Town and hear its stories. King Street leads to Market Street where spice shops are aplenty. The guide will explain how various spices are used in Indian cooking.

Next stop, Little India, where delegates can cast their eyes upon lively and colourful shops selling beautiful sarees and delicious Indian food. Delegates will dig into a local Indian lunch and watch a seller prepare pulled tea. They will also be invited to try their hand at ‘pulling’ tea from one container to another until the beverage becomes foamy.

The tour continues after lunch through the street of Harmony which is peppered with various places of worship such as Masjid Kapitan Keling, Kuan Yin Temple, St George’s Church and Sri Mahamariamman Temple – a reflection of Malaysia’s multicultural society.

As evening falls, your group will proceed to the quirky Made in Penang Interactive Museum at Weld Quay. Delegates will enjoy posing for pictures with 3D lifelike paintings on walls and floors.

All the walking should get your delegates hungry soon and the city tour concludes at Gurney Drive, a hot spot for seafood and popular street eats. Dinner will be hosted at Gurney Drive Hawker Centre, allowing your group to experience the local ambience and cuisine.

Contributed by Luxury Tours Malaysia

Need to know

Shopping, dining, private parties all under one roof

Occupying three pre-war heritage buildings that are connected by a common courtyard, ChinaHouse has gained a strong following of fans who love it for its eclectic mix of shops, cafes and restaurants.

Art galleries and a multipurpose performance space on the upper floors can be hired for private dining functions or cocktails parties, as can the open air courtyard downstairs.

One of ChinaHouse’s F&B outlets, 14 Chairs, functions as a mixed-use private dining space. It features a 12-feet marble table, an indoor kitchen and an old-fashioned outdoor kitchen. Besides being available for private hire, 14 Chairs hosts a wine dinner every Thursday and a chef’s dinner every Friday.

Email info@chinahouse.com.my for more information.

Go on a wet adventure

One of Penang’s latest attraction is the Wet World Wild Adventure Park – said to be Asia’s first seawater adventure park.

Opened on last Christmas Day, the park at Moonlight Bay, Batu Ferringhi can create water-based teambuilding activities.

Wet World Wild Adventure Park has 10 bouncy inflatables that mimic outdoor sports facilities such as a rock wall, a running track, a trampoline and a human catapult.

It has a maximum capacity of 80 persons.

For group bookings and more information, email getwet@wetworldwild.com.

New hotel on Kelawai Road

Scheduled to open in 4Q2014, G Hotel Kelawai will offer 208 well-designed rooms and suites, six function rooms of various sizes, a business centre, three trendy dining outlets, a gym, and a rooftop infinity pool.

Guests will be placed within walking distance of two popular malls, Gurney Plaza and Gurney Paragon.

Stay differently

Opened last year, Seven Terraces is an 18-suite boutique hotel that occupies a row of seven 19th century Anglo Chinese terraces on Stewart Lane. Great for small-sized corporate groups that desire a unique accommodation experience, Seven Terraces offers a courtyard with ample space for events as well as a restaurant with a bar on the ground floor. Kebaya restaurant features décor and furnishings with a strong Baba Nyonya influence.

CHM expands property  network in Penang

George Town will welcome two new properties by Cititel Hotel Management (CHM) come 4Q2014.

The Wembley – A St Giles Premier Hotel, Penang, will offer 415 rooms, a grand ballroom with seating capacity for 1,200 people, several meeting rooms, an executive lounge, a swimming pool, a gym and a helipad, among other facilities. It will be CHM’s first hotel in Penang and the northern region of Malaysia.

Adjacent to The Wembley will be the 234-room Cititel Express Penang, the third Cititel Express property after Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu. Located on Magazine Road, in the heart of the city’s commercial and government district, the hotel will sit alongside retail shops, restaurants, a food court and car park bays for more than 500 vehicles.

Both hotels boast easy access to shopping complexes and numerous cultural and historical sites.

Host a green meeting

Sister hotels Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, Penang and Golden Sands Resort, Penang are offering green meeting packages to help lower the carbon footprint and environmental impact of corporate meetings.

These packages feature environmentally friendly theme breaks. For example, water and snacks are served in non-disposable ware and locally sourced titbits are offered. In addition, non-toxic markers are provided and recycling bins are placed at strategic spots.

Delegates will also be given a plant each as a souvenir after their teambuilding activity.

Planners can choose to have their meetings outdoors, in the hotels’ expansive gardens, to reduce their use of air-conditioning. At Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, meeting delegates can start the day with a tai chi or yoga breakfast in the manicured gardens or under giant rain trees.