GEORGE TOWN, August 25 — Event organisers in Malaysia should begin planning and publicising activities for 2025 now to allow travellers ample time to arrange longer vacations, urged Datuk Ch’ng Huck Theng, chairman of the Association of Tourist Attractions Penang (ATAP). Highlighting that many travellers plan trips months or even a year in advance, Ch’ng stressed the importance of early announcements, comparing it to Singapore’s proactive approach, which has already released its event lineup for 2025.
Ch’ng also called for a shift away from last-minute event planning, noting that promoting events just a month or two in advance often leaves insufficient time for visitors to make travel arrangements. He emphasized the need for year-round event planning to attract tourists during both peak and off-peak seasons, ensuring consistent tourism revenue. Penang, already a popular destination, could see further growth in visitor numbers through better planning and early announcements, he added.
