Penang continues to launch the BElong Campaign in Kuala Lumpur’s Connexion Conference & Event Centre (CCEC), while Malaysia prepares to open its international borders. The BElong in Penang Campaign seeks to instil optimism and enthusiasm in the Penang business events industry while also laying the groundwork for the state to continue funding hybrid domestic events in the run-up to the revival of international borders and the return of international clients and events.
According to Penang State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy, Yeoh Soon Hin, in order to reclaim the trust of tourists, the state needs a strong standard operating procedure (SOP) that ensures their safety while visiting Penang, hence why he initiated the state’s first “responsible tourism” campaign in 2020, which will help to control the spread of the Covid-19 virus in the state.
He firmly believes that the campaign name, when associated with the state’s vision of becoming a smart state while continuing to develop its digital economy through Penang2030, will entice more tourists and business event organisers to return to Penang and choose Penang as their next preferred destination for future events.
The BElong campaign’s concept revolves around three key messages, notably, uncompromising hospitality at the heart of Penang’s BE, moving towards the opening of borders as Penang is ready for the return of tourists, business event tourists and organisers, while Penang has put in place all requisite safety and hygiene measures and also because Penang will always and always be where your events and you belong.
“The campaign’s goals include sending a positive message that Penang is open for business beginning in 2022, maintaining destination awareness and increasing destination confidence in health and safety measures for corporate events, increasing RFPs and interest in future events to be held in Penang, and potentially increasing job opportunities in the tourism, hospitality, and business events industries in Penang,” said Ashwin.According to the Chief Executive Officer of PCEB, Ashwin Gunasekeran, the first two letters BE, which are associated with business events, employ the term ‘belong,’ which generally signifies having an affinity for a specific place or situation, such as a sense of belonging.
Penang is looking forward to your return and knows you’ll miss the excellent food, welcome friendliness, and breath-taking vistas and sites. It is timely for this new campaign to go live now, as the boarders are about to open soon in accordance with the state’s vision of Penang2030 and the recovery plans for tourism and business events.