adminGEORGE TOWN: The hot weather in Penang, especially in the Northeast district, has not stopped tourists from visiting interesting areas as popular tourist destinations in the state continue to be visited during the Aidilfitri and school holidays.
A Bernama survey at Chew Jetty, Weld Quay, Armenian Street and Padang Kota here found that visitor arrivals were not affected, with many visitors carrying umbrellas, cold drinks and wearing hats while enjoying the beauty of the state’s heritage city.
Wang Fang, 30, from China, said the hot weather did not affect the fun and described Penang as a tourist-friendly destination.
“Even though it’s hot, I still enjoy being here. There are various types of drinks and places to cool off, so it’s not a problem,” he told Bernama when met at Chew Jetty, today.
Nurul Nadhirah Mohd Aiman, 24, from Kuala Lumpur, said she took the opportunity to visit Armenian Street for an Aidilfitri photography session.
“I came to Armenian Street for a Raya photography session. Apart from walking, I also took a tricycle to avoid the hot weather. It was actually quite fun because I had never taken a tricycle in Penang before.”
“Many foreign tourists seem comfortable despite the hot weather, perhaps it is Malaysians who are more worried about this scorching weather,” he said.
Meanwhile, state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee Chairman Wong Hon Wai said Penang continued to attract tourists because it offered various activities indoors and at night.
He said locations such as Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion and Penang Automotive Gallery as well as air-conditioned cafes, food and beverage outlets and shopping malls provide alternatives for visitors during hot weather.
“In addition, there are various tourist activities at night such as Ferringhi Bay, Love Lane, Entopia by Night and the night view from Penang Hill,” he said.
Wong said Penang Hill in particular continued to record high visitor numbers with passenger numbers recorded at 5,800 on March 20; 8,900 (March 21); 9,800 (March 22) and 8,400 (March 23), bringing the total for the four days to almost 33,000 visitors.
Meanwhile, Penang Malaysian Hotel Association (MAH) Chairman Datuk Tony Goh said hotel occupancy rates during the festive and school holiday periods remained encouraging, between 60 to 80 percent.
He said the heat wave had not affected the tourism and hotel industries in the state.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) yesterday reported that 14 areas in Peninsular Malaysia were under level one (warning), including the Northeast district in Penang.
A heatwave level is a daily maximum temperature between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius for at least three consecutive days, while level one (alert level) refers to temperatures between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius over the same period.
— BERNAMA
