Northstar

DESTINATION | Penang, MALAYSIA 32 JAN-FEB 2018 meetings & conventions • mcmag-asia.com The Habitat Penang Hill. Multicultural Penang comes up with new flavours to win planners' hearts. Penang powers up Words Brooke Thio Firmly established as a top leisure destination in Malaysia, Penang has all the ingredients that draw tourists from around the world. All it needs to throw in are modern convention facilities and a professional MICE workforce – and that's what the city has been cooking up. "One of the major projects (in Penang) is the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre that is due to complete in 2021. There will also be nine new hotels that will be up by 2019," shares Ashwin Gunasekeran, CEO, "One of the major projects is the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre that is due to complete in 2021 ." – ASHWIN GUNASEKERAN, CEO, PCEB Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB). "These upcoming infrastructures will not only further boost Penang's appeal in the Business Events industry, but also give a boost to Penang's capacity in accommodating larger numbers of delegates for corporate events, meetings and conferences." PCEB was established in 2016, and in that year alone, it secured 1,251 events for the city. In 2017, Penang was selected to host the World Seafood Congress in 2019 – the first Asian country to host the global event. A Rich Heritage Penang's history as a sultanate, colonial outpost, and trading port has resulted in a panoply of colourful festivals, tantalising cuisine, and more. For delegates, unique venues offer the finest first-hand experience of Penang's cultural diversity. Surrounded by a 130 million year

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