THE TOP 2022 CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING UP CEREMONY
SPEECH BY THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW FOR THE TOP 2022 CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING UP CEREMONY
21 December 2022
Atrium Level 5, The Top
YB Chong Eng
State Executive Councillor for Social Development & Non-Islamic Religious Affairs
YB Phee Boon Poh
State Executive Councillor for Environment & Welfare
Puan Sri Jean Koh
Group CEO of Only World Group (OWG)
Tan Sri James Fong & wife
Director of OWG
Dato’ Jory Leong Kam Weng
Director of OWG
Dato’ Ir. Rajendran A/L Anthony
Secretary of Penang Island City Council (MBPP)
Dato’ Ch’ng Huck Theng
President of Penang Association of Tourism Attraction (ATAP)
Ms Mei Wong
Director of Sales & Marketing, NEO+ Hotel
Dato’ Gulab Mahatam Rai
General Manager of NEO+ Hotel
Dato’ Dr. Simon Lo and Datin Josephine Yoong
Distinguished guests
Media friends
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good evening to all of you.
I am very delighted to be here today for the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony organized by The TOP to kick start the year-end festivities.
This is something, I believe, all of us look forward to and it truly gives everyone a renewed sense of joy and hope for the coming new year while we reflect on the highs and lows we all rode through. It is also the time for us to treasure our loved ones, family members and friends who are always with us through thick and thin.
No matter how tough the past 2 years were, I am glad that things are coming back to life, and we are returning to normal. This is a good sign and a welcoming one as we embrace the New Year 2023 in about ten days.
Ladies & gentlemen,
The TOP Penang is an iconic landmark in Penang, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Only World Group (OWG) for being a significant stakeholder in Penang’s tourism industry.
Your constant and consistent promotions as a one-stop edutainment venue for education, leisure and dining, like your mantra – Fun, Food & Good Living – have been instrumental in returning the shine to Komtar.
Visitors to The TOP would be spoilt for choice as there are more than 18 themed attractions and attractive F&B outlets offering what they do best. I won’t be surprised that one can easily loses track of time here with friends and family, or even if he or she is travelling alone. It goes without saying that a trip to Penang is incomplete without making a stop to visit The TOP Penang.
Ladies & Gentlemen,
Since our borders reopened in April this year, we have all seen the return of tourists to Penang. Some are here as travellers for sight-seeing while quite a significant number came here as medical tourists. In fact, the traffic jams on weekends or on public holidays, is to a certain extent, a welcoming sign that Penang is back in business.
We are made aware that this is true and happening right now due to the bustling activities and the resultant noise around us increasing. Our hotels are getting reservations and our shopping malls are swarming with people.
By the way, some good news to add on to everyone’s joy at this moment. We are now in the peak season of hotel occupancy rate in Penang. According to the figures we have, the occupancy rate of our hotels this month is about 80 to 100 percent. We are receiving many tourists who are mostly from Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore. All of these are reasons for us to continue seeking new and creative ways to boost our tourism and hospitality industry.
To this end, the State Government greatly appreciates the initiatives and support of various organisations like OWG in coming up with attractive promotions to be the pull factor for travellers to come to Penang.
Malaysians from other states also must not miss out on the opportunity to visit the attractions we have to offer in Penang, as well as to explore the attractive deals and packages for tourists.
Go visit Penang Hill to enjoy the cool breeze in the morning, take a walk along our sandy beaches at Batu Feringghi, visit the ESCAPE Theme Park if water is your element of fun and joy and drop by ENTOPIA by Penang Butterfly Farm. Explore around Penang and you will soon find yourself needing that extra push when it is time to go back home!
To all friends who are here this evening,
It is heart-warming to see many visitors out and about at The TOP today, and I wish to convey my deepest appreciation to Tan Sri Richard Koh and Puan Sri Jean Koh as well as your dedicated team for having done a great job in organizing today’s event.
On this note, I wish to conclude my speech by wishing you all a great evening ahead and enjoy a wonderful Christmas and New Year celebration with your loved ones.
Thank you.