SPEECH BY THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW FOR JAZZ HOTEL GRAND OPENING

19 May 2023

Tanjung Tokong

YB Yeoh Soon Hin
State Executive Councillor for Tourism & Creative Economy

Mr Jack Eng and Mr Tan Tze Tao

Managing Directors of Jazz Hotel

 

Puan Siti Hajar Mohd Yunus

Deputy Director of Tourism Malaysia Northern Region

Mr Ooi Chok Yan

CEO of Penang Global Tourism

Dr Mary Ann Harris

Chief Financial Officer of PBA

Dato’ Khoo Boo Lim

Vice Chairman of MAH National

 

Mr Ben Ho

Vice Chairman of MAH Penang Chapter

 

Mr Andy Lau

Chairman of Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association (MyBHA)

Media Friends, Influencers, Bloggers, Content Creators

 

 

Ladies & Gentlemen

Good afternoon, everyone.

Firstly, I would like to thank the management team of the hotel for inviting me to officiate this momentous occasion for Jazz Hotel Penang.

Jazz Hotel Penang, with the impressive 30-storey building and 255 exquisitely furnished rooms, captures the essence of jazz in your design and ambience. And this includes the 4 suites that are named after iconic jazz singers such as Dinah Washington and Billie Holiday.

Ladies & Gentlemen,

Under the new management of Koenic Hotel Management, the hotel has also undergone a remarkable brand refresh. Interestingly, the rejuvenation aligns the establishment with a remarkable new brand image, refreshed look, vibrant colours and a lively ambience, promising a distinctive and enjoyable experience for all guests.

I understand that the hotel features a rooftop infinity pool, gym, all-day dining restaurant, Feast@Jazz, a Japanese restaurant Haku and a cozy lounge at Level 29 which will be revealed soon.

I am most delighted that the opening of Jazz Hotel Penang injects new life into the suburb of George Town, creating more options for tourists and bringing more job opportunities for the local community. After enduring the challenges of the pandemic, this venture represents a beacon of hope and opportunity for everyone to contribute to the recovery of Penang’s tourism industry.

Over the past few months, we have witnessed the opening of numerous hotels, each playing a vital role in providing job opportunities and supporting the local economy. It is through the collective efforts of all stakeholders that we elevate Penang to greater heights.

This year, the Penang State Government will continue to focus on recovery efforts for sectors that were affected by the pandemic, in line with our determination to achieve the Penang2030 Vision of "A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation."

Furthermore, as mentioned by Tourism Malaysia recently, our country is targeting 16.1 million foreign tourists this year which is 60 percent more than the total in 2022. This surge in demand for hotel accommodation is expected in the fourth quarter of this year and hence, I can say the opening of Jazz Hotel Penang is most timely.

Having that mentioned, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the hospitality and service industry players for your trust and confidence in the Penang State Government as you continuously venture and grow your business in Penang.

Lastly, I wish Jazz Hotel Penang all the best.