GEORGE TOWN, September 26 — Penang State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy, Wong Hon Wai, led a state delegation to Tokyo to showcase Penang’s diverse attractions through the “Not the Penang That You Know”roadshow, highlighting the state’s strong potential in the Japanese tourism market.
With Japan ranking among the top ten international arrivals to Penang and visitor numbers rising 25% in the first seven months of 2025, Wong underscored the significance of Japanese travelers’ spending power and the untapped opportunities across business, education, cultural, and culinary tourism.
The mission included a Business-to-Business (B2B) networking session, tourism presentations, and meetings with Japan Airlines to explore direct flight prospects. Wong also emphasized the deep-rooted ties between Penang and Japan, citing more than 70 Japanese multinational companies operating in Penang.
The long-standing Penang Japanese School, and the annual Bon Odori and Yosakoi festivals—the largest celebrations of their kind outside Japan. He noted strong interest from Japanese operators in education-focused travel, with Penang’s heritage sites, nature attractions, and cultural diversity offering unique learning experiences.
Wong’s engagements with Japanese media and industry players reinforced Penang’s commitment to cultivating the Japanese market, aiming to attract more quality visitors and expand long-term tourism collaboration.
