Insider"s guide to Penang

THE first episode of the ‘Penang — Live It! Love It!’ travelogue series will be released in the middle of next month.

The 32-episode series, which will each feature

a different popular tourist destination in Penang, is an official promotional programme of the Association of Tourist Attractions Penang (Atap).

Viewers worldwide will get a glimpse of Penang’s charm and attractions as they follow model Diorlynn Ong, 19, who plays a tourist in the series, as she explores popular tourist destinations in the state.

From shopping to food and culture, the noteworthy places included in the series are the Kek Lok Si Temple, Tropical Spice Garden, Snake Temple, Khoo Kongsi, Pinang Peranakan Mansion, Penang Hill and several shopping malls and eating outlets.

The series, directed by Royblin Neoh, will mostly be conducted in Mandarin but with English subtitles.

Atap chairman Ch’ng Huck Theng said the

videos would benefit Penang’s tourism industry.

“It is a combined effort between the state government and Atap members to showcase what Penang has to offer in terms of attractions and some inside information.

“All 32 episodes can be seen by anyone

from anywhere around the world through the Internet,” he said in his speech during the launch of the series at a dinner at the EO Hotel recently.

State Tourism Development committee chairman Danny Law said the number of both foreign and domestic tourists had increased since 2011.

“The number of foreign tourists went up by 55% while domestic tourists increased by 45% this year compared with 2011.

“Hotels including budget hotels and three-star hotels have also reached full occupancy during the recent festive seasons.

“In a few years’ time, there will be more

tourists coming in and the state is prepared to acquire land if there is any expansion project to the Penang International Airport,” he said.

Law added that the most foreign tourists came from Indonesia followed by Singapore, China, Japan, the United States, Taiwan, Australia, the United Kingdom, Thailand and India.

The travelogue videos will be available at www.wowpenang.my, where a teaser is now up for viewing.

For details on ATAP, visit www.atap.org.my.

Insider"s guide to Penang