Penang Tourist Guides Association chairman Chin Poh Chin said there has been minimal rise in the arrival of visitors specifically for the festival, and felt that more effort was needed to promote the event early with the tourism industry.
"I am surprised that some state government-funded organisations tend to leave out the tour operators or tourist guides for discussions during their early stage of planning," she said.
"Most of us only knew of the events and activities after the flyers or brochures have been printed," she added.
"Tour operators need time to package and market the events way ahead."
Tourist guides also needed to know the necessary details of the events for them to "bring more life" by disseminating correct information to visitors, she added.
She said the "minimal economic benefits" to the local community would be from the demand for services such as accommodation, meals, and transportation or leisure activities.
The month-long festival is held by the Penang government in July every year to commemorate the naming of George Town as a World Heritage Site by Unesco in July 2008. The event is held in August this year due to the Ramadan fasting month falling in July.
Chin lamented that the festival's press conferences covered more on the performing artists than George Town and its heritage issue.
"I think the fast disappearing heritage buildings create more concern to the community than the festival," she said.
Khoo Boo Lim, who is acting chairman of the Penang chapter of Malaysian Association of Hotels, said while the festival helps to attract visitors, there was a need for early packaging and promotion.
"If you decide to set the festival in July, then it would be good if the hotels can make sales early and coordinate with the travel agents," he said.
He added that coverage by the international media this year has helped to enhance Penang's image, and there has also been some positive effects brought about by iconic elements like the popular street murals that have sprung up around George Town.
Asked about hotel occupancy in relation to the festival, he said feedback from hotels was that there are some guests who come to Penang specifically for the festival.
"But many of the visitors were already in Penang and found out that the festival was going on and went to the events," he added.
Ch'ng Huck Theng, chairman of the Association of Tourism Attractions Penang (ATAP) and president of Penang Art Society, said the festival has become mature and well-organised, and definitely has an impact on the tourism sector.
It would therefore help if it could be marketed much earlier so that aficionados and tourists wanting to come have enough time to prepare, he said.
The current edition of the festival features 147 events, of which 64% will be open to the public free of charge. A total of 84 events feature local productions.
In July this year, the festival was listed among nine of the best upcoming events in Asia by Bangkok-based BK Magazine. – August 25, 2014.
Source : http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/tourism-industry-wants-locals-to-benefit-from-george-town-festival
