CRUISE tourism remains a vital pillar of Penang’s tourism landscape, said state executive councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy Wong Hon Wai, as he welcomed participants to CruiseWorld Malaysia 2025 at the Penang Marriott Hotel in Gurney Drive today.
He noted that the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal continues to receive vessels both large and small, bringing thousands of visitors who energise the local economy, from food stalls and heritage sites to duty-free outlets.
“Swettenham Pier is one of the few city ports in the region, allowing passengers to disembark right into the heart of George Town. Since completing its major expansion two years ago, the pier has already delivered a positive impact,” Wong said, addressing attendees including Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook.
“For many cruise passengers, Penang is their first taste of Malaysia and we want that first impression to be one of colour, warmth, and authenticity. That’s why we continue to invest in improving shore excursion quality, ground handling efficiency, and developing creative tourism products that meet the expectations of today’s cruise travellers.”
Wong also shared that one of Penang’s key heritage projects, the Fort Cornwallis Moat revitalisation, will be officially opened to the public next month. Located within walking distance of the cruise terminal, the restored site is expected to be a highlight of visitors’ shore excursions.
“This flagship initiative includes the revitalisation of the fort’s historic L-shaped moat, the redevelopment of the Astaka Kota Selera, and an immersive museum experience enhanced by virtual and augmented reality,” he said.
Other features include the conservation of five rediscovered historical cannons and upgrades to heritage structures such as the Bastion Wall, Gunpowder Room, Second Munition Room, and West Entrance, underscoring Penang’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive heritage tourism.
Wong added that Penang’s tourism sector has not only recovered from the pandemic but has surpassed pre-Covid levels. In 2024, hotel guest arrivals reached 8,237,072, an impressive 28.9% increase compared to 6,389,996 in 2019.
He also expressed appreciation to Loke, the Ministry of Transport, and the Federal Government for their continued support in implementing critical infrastructure projects that will shape the future of Penang’s tourism industry. These include the ongoing expansion of the Penang International Airport, the much-anticipated LRT project, and the Penang Hill cable car project.
Wong also thanked the event organisers for selecting Penang as the host of CruiseWorld Malaysia for the first time, and extended his appreciation to industry stakeholders, including cruise operators, airlines, ground handlers, travel agents, and hoteliers, for their participation and collaboration.
Loke underscored the importance of cruise tourism in Malaysia, noting that between 200 and 300 cruise ships are expected to call on Malaysian ports weekly, including Port Klang, Melaka, Penang, Langkawi, Sabah, and Sarawak. Penang alone receives about two to three cruise ships per week.
“An A320 may carry around 180 passengers, while a larger aircraft might accommodate 400 to 500. But a single cruise ship can bring in 4,000 to 5,000 passengers at once, equivalent to 10 to 15 aircraft arriving simultaneously,” Loke said during his address at CruiseWorld Malaysia 2025.
“That’s a major catalyst for the local tourism economy. Our challenge now is to elevate Penang from being just a port of call to becoming a home port. That is the shared vision of the Ministry of Transport and the state of Penang.”
Loke noted, however, that cruise ships currently stop in Penang for only 10 to 12 hours, limiting tourists to visiting just two or three attractions.
“We want to create better value for them. Better access to destinations such as Penang Hill will certainly help enhance the local economy,” he said.
Loke lauded Penang’s appeal as a cruise destination, calling it Malaysia’s top draw for cruise tourism due to its strategic location, modern infrastructure, and unique cultural richness.
“Penang is the only place in Malaysia where, after disembarking, passengers can walk just 50 metres into a UNESCO World Heritage Site,” he said.
“We have a beautiful seafront at Swettenham Pier, and we’re planning to redevelop the entire frontage. Penang Port Sdn Bhd and the Penang Port Commission are working together to rejuvenate the old godowns and the waterfront area, creating a world-class cruise terminal precinct.”
Loke recalled that during his first tenure as transport minister in 2018, he had supported the RM155 million expansion of Swettenham Pier, a project initiated before the pandemic and completed in 2021.
“With the expansion, the terminal can now berth two large vessels simultaneously instead of just one. That’s a significant improvement, and we hope for even greater developments in the years ahead,” he said with a smile.
“The Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal has already proven its capability in handling world-class liners and increasing passenger volumes.”
Also present at the convention were state executive councillors Jason H’ng Mooi Lye and Lim Siew Khim, and assemblymen Connie Tan Hooi Peng (Seri Delima), Teh Lai Heng (Komtar), Wong Yuee Harng (Pengkalan Kota), Phee Syn Tze (Sungai Puyu) and Heng Lee Lee (Berapit), Penang Port Commission chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin, Irene Chua, vice-president and Group publisher, Asia, Northstar Travel Group; and Michael Goh, president of StarDream Cruises.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud