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IN THE NEWS

Penang Convention and Exhibition

Bureau forays into India market

Tanuvi Joe promoting it as a MICE centre, tember 2017, the destination
Mumbai they are also looking forward to hosted 1,731 events with an es-
promoting Penang as a leisure timated economic impact of
Penang Convention and Exhi- centre. Talking about India as US$ 230 million. This trans-
bition Bureau (PCEB) hosted a crucial tourism market, he lates to a 27 per cent increase
its first travel trade road show stated, “Malaysia has always in the number of events and
in four primary cities – Kolkata, been a favourite with the In- seven per cent increase for the
New Delhi, Mumbai and Ben- dian travel trade. India infact is estimated economic impact.
galuru respectively. Seeing In- the sixth highest generator of Along with its 360-degree
dia’s importance as a source tourists to India. For 2017 itself, canopy with a theme park and
market, the Penang delegation the tourists arrival for Penang water park having a one-km-
included 17 partners, consist- was 25,000. We believe we have long waterslide, the longest in
ing the state bureau for leisure a lot to offer to the India mar- the world, PCEB is expanding
travel – Penang Global ket from honeymoons to desti- its doors to even families in the
Tourism, hotels, destination nation weddings to even pro- India market. By 2019, nine
management companies, event viding the location for shooting more hotels will be built and by
experts and PCEB’s official air- when it comes to beaches, hills, tions in our Setia Spice Con- Bollywood films.” 2021, another convention cen-
line partner, Malaysia Airlines. heritage, shopping and food. vention centre as opposed to In 2016, Penang recorded tre will be built further increas-
Ashwin Gubasekeran, chief It’s also an island city UNESCO those that aren’t around her- 1,251 events with an estimated ing investor opportunities and
executive officer, PCEB, said, heritage site that provides as a itage sites.” economic impact of US$ 200 customising tourist’s experi-
“Penang is an ideal destination great location to host conven- He stated that along with million. From January to Sep- ences.

LCVAexpects India to be among top 10 tourist arrivals

Tanuvi Joe how much weddings are impor-
Mumbai tant to Indian consumers and
we have made facilities of hav-
The mission of the Las Vegas ing your wedding over the
Convention and Visitors Au- Grand Canyon. You take a heli-
thority (LCVA) is to attract visi- copter and when you reach
tors by promoting Las Vegas as there, you can pop a glass of
the world's most desirable des- champagne and toast to your
tination for leisure and business wedding.”
travel. Kala Peterson, communi- Recent surveys state that
cations manager, LCVA, spoke out of 150, 000 rooms in Las Ve-
to Express Travel World how gas, 84 per cent occupancy is
she manages account teams in present at all times. The desti-
five different regions and exe- nation has seen many new de-
cutes public relations efforts velopments in recent times. The
globally to elevate awareness of Park, a dining area along with a
the destination and grow inter- Park theatre has been opened.
national visitation. She has been The Las Vegas residence has
with the LCVA for more than been home to Elton, Backstreet
two years, focusing on interna- collaborated with chefs and LCVA plans to attract Indian with a huge food festival that Boys, Jennifer Lopez, and much
tional public relations initiatives opened up world class restau- consumers, Kala stated, “India happens every year showcasing more. The Downtown recently
for South Korea, India, China, rants and pushed the notch is already 12 on the list of the world-class chefs like Gordon witnessed the opening of the
Australia and New Zealand. Pe- even higher by commencing live tourist arrivals coming to Las Ramsey. The visitors can even Neon Museum which is a walk-
terson said, “Las Vegas has ma- events that our visitors can en- Vegas. We hope we see India in interact with their favourite through of the history of Las Ve-
jorly shifted from being just a joy. For 23 years, we have been the top 10 list of our tourist ar- chefs and taste different gas and many of the exhibits are
casino and gaming destination the No.1 trade show destination rivals very soon. We know how cuisines. To bring out the adven- larger than life. The Smith cen-
to a complete entertainment and hope to maintain this long much they are passionate about turous side of the Indian con- tre conducts broadways and
destination. We have introduced into the future.” sports and we now have one of sumer, we even have car-driving symphonies from over the
indoor as well as outdoor sports, Commenting on how the the largest golf courses along and zip lining. We also know world.

12 EXPRESS TRAVELWORLD
February 2018