PENANG is aiming to attract up to a million sea cruise passengers this year from 170 international cruise port calls as the port regulator - Penang Port Commission (PPC) marks its historic 70th anniversary celebrations.

Penang Port Commission (PPC) board chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said last year, the port served up to 700,000 cruise passengers from 120 port calls.

“Our goal is to position Penang as a leading hub for cruise tourism in the region,” he added, expressing hope that the state will achieve its target of 170 cruise ships this year noting that there are also global trends, which PPC must mitigate.

Global conflicts were said to have impacted the cruise industry as travelers think twice about boarding vessels in troubled zones.

Yeoh also announced that to further strengthen the sector, Tourism Malaysia will expand the existing Charter Flight Matching Grant (GSPC) this year to include cruise tourism, so tourists can set sail and fly back to the destinations of their choice.

 “The RM50 million incentive scheme, which includes flights, will be offered to cruise operators and travel agents to encourage the introduction of more cruise routes," said Yeoh, who is also the deputy chairman of Tourism Malaysia - the main marketing aim of inbound tourism.

Yeoh was part of the welcoming state entourage for the "Visit Malaysia Year 2026" campaign where all entry points into the state held a brief ceremony to mark the country's efforts to become a major tourism destination.

Besides Penang Port, celebrations were marked at the international airport in Bayan Lepas and at the Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) rail station in Butterworth.

To consolidate the year-long programme, Yeoh wants both the public and private sectors to increase public awareness of tourism-related programmes, enhance nationwide and international publicity, and encourage greater collaboration among stakeholders in developing the tourism sector.

Yeoh also shared that gastronomy tourism remains a key attraction for Penang with promotional efforts to be intensified through digital platforms, including social media and video campaigns, as well as collaborations with key opinion leaders, food festivals and culinary competitions.

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