Georgetown: New Direct Flights to Boost Penang’s Tourism Sector
Milestone Development in Strengthening Ties with India
Penang’s tourism sector is set to receive a significant boost with the announcement of a new daily direct flight between Chennai, India and Penang by IndiGo Airlines, according to Penang State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee (Petace) chairman Wong Hon Wai.
New Daily Direct Flight to Commence on December 21st
Wong said that starting December 21, the new route will be the only direct connection between the two cities, with tickets now available for purchase on IndiGo’s official website.
Key Development for Penang’s Tourism Promotion
The launch is a significant development in Penang’s efforts to strengthen ties with India, following Wong’s visit to India earlier this year, where he promoted Penang’s tourism and business offerings, as well as discussed potential collaborations with Indian tourism stakeholders, including the Indian low-cost carrier, IndiGo.
Committed to Diversification of Source Markets
“I am confident that this direct connection will significantly boost travel, business, and family visits between India and Penang, further strengthening our economic and cultural ties,” Wong said in a statement.
Wong emphasized the importance of diversifying source markets to ensure sustainable tourism growth, stating that India is currently absent from Penang’s top 10 tourist source countries, but that the new route will place India as one of the state’s top tourism markets.
Potential for Huge Passenger Traffic
Wong highlighted the significance of Penang’s economic and cultural ties with Tamil Nadu, specifically with Chennai, which boasts a population exceeding 12 million, making it India’s fifth-largest city and a hub for passenger traffic.
Benefits of Diversification
By attracting a range of international tourists, Penang not only increases its global visibility but also minimizes dependency on a single market and spreads market risk, according to Petace.
Conclusion
The arrival of the new direct flights between Chennai and Penang marks a significant milestone for the state’s tourism industry, with immense potential for passenger traffic and economic benefits. As Penang seeks to diversify its tourism source markets, this collaboration with IndiGo Airlines offers a promising opportunity for long-term growth and development in the sector.
FAQs
December 21st
IndiGo’s official website
Significant potential, given Chennai’s population exceeding 12 million as India’s fifth-largest city
Diversifying source markets to ensure sustainable tourism growth