The first Focus Group Discussion of the Penang Tourism Master Plan held last Friday was concluded successfully with more than 80 stakeholders involved.
The Penang State Exco for Tourism, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said various tourism players in the industry were present to share their input and suggestions concerning local issues.
Yeoh said there will be a total of six FGD sessions until September and said the participation of all stakeholders in the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) of Penang Tourism Master Plan (PTMP) are crucial as it will become Penang state’s masterplan for tourism sector for the upcoming 10 years leading up to Penang 2030.
“The FGD is aimed at gathering constructive and relevant inputs from the stakeholders and various tourism players in order to develop an effective plan that will be in use for the coming ten years.
“At the same time, it ensures that potential problems can be addressed and communicated to us in order to develop a comprehensive plan that all Penangites will, and can use,” he said.
FGD is aimed at gathering constructive inputs and feedback on the various issues and concerns affecting tourism and the travel industry thus to further enhance the tourism industry of Penang.
“The state government believes strongly in stakeholder engagement and involvement at policy level, and hence these focus group sessions are held with various key agencies, organisations and community,” said Yeoh at the opening of the FGD.
“The implementation cannot be carried out by just state government as it involves everyone from the tourism players, to everyone in the industry and even the community. If I work alone, I think there will be a lot of limitations. Only with assistance and support from leaders and agencies as well as local communities can we go further for the next ten years,” he said.
The FGD covered issues and challenges on the supply side of tourism namely attractions, accommodation, information and promotion, transportation and services, opportunities and threats to stimulate the growth of the tourism industry, as well as identifying emerging trends of tourism, nationally and regionally.
The PTMP represents a comprehensive plan for the state to develop the tourism sector from 2020 until 2030 as well as an important component to support the Penang2030 vision to strategically position Penang in the competitive international market. The PTMP be divided into two phases from 2020 to 2025, and from 2025 to 2030.
Also present were Lead Consultant of YZD Planning & Consult Professor Dr. Bada Mohamed, CEO of Penang Global Tourism (PGT) Ooi Chok Yan and other tourism stakeholders.
槟州旅游大蓝图首个焦点小组讨论会圆满举行
槟州旅游大蓝图（Penang Tourism Master Plan）首个焦点小组讨论会已于上周五（16日）圆满举行，获得约80位旅游业者、技术专才参与。
槟城旅游、艺术、文化及遗产委员会主席杨顺兴表示，各方代表在有关焦点小组讨论会上，针对目前槟州旅游业发展所面临的严峻挑战，提出相当建设性的意见。
杨顺兴表示，从目前至9月期间，州政府将会与相关机构、组织、团体及民众，进行共6次的焦点小组讨论。他指出，有关不同群体的参与对槟州旅游大蓝图的总体规划非常关键，因为有关大蓝图将是槟城在未来10年的整体旅游规划。
他指出，有关焦点小组讨论，旨在向相关业者收集建设性的反馈与意见，以让州政府能够拟定更完善的大蓝图，进而提升槟城的旅游业。
“与此同时，州政府可真正了解潜在问题，这对拟定一个全所有城人都可使用的大蓝图帮助非常大。”
杨顺兴表示，槟州旅游大蓝图焦点小组讨论，旨在针对州内旅游发展所面对的各种问题，收集建设性的反馈与意见，进而提升槟城的旅游业。
杨顺兴在有关焦点小组会议上致开幕词时表示，州政府相信在业者的参与下才能更针对性的定制政策，协助槟州旅游发展。因此，我们将与相关机构、组织、团体，甚至民众，进行数个焦点小组会议。
“有关大蓝图不仅涉及旅游业者，更涉及槟州社区内的每一个人。为了让有关大蓝图更完善和全面，我们想征求大家的意见、聆听每个人的心声，而不是由州政府单方面拟定，因为这是关系到槟城每一个人在未来十年的计划。”
有关焦点小组讨论内容涵盖目前槟州旅游业所面对的问题，包括旅游景点、酒店住宿、旅游资讯及推广、交通与服务、旅游业面临的机会与威胁，以进一步刺激旅游业发展，同时掌握国家及区域性的最新旅游趋势。
槟州旅游大蓝图是州政府在未来10年，针对州内旅游发展的完整计划，也是支持槟城2030愿景的主干之一，让槟城在竞争激烈的国际市场中取得战略性的定位。此大蓝图将两个阶段进行，即首阶段的2020年至2025年、第二阶段的2025至2030年。
出席会议的还有YZD规划与咨询顾问公司首席顾问巴达鲁丁、槟州环球旅游机构（PGT）首席执行员黄茁原，以及其他相关旅游业者。
Article from Buletin Mutiara’s Facebook post: