Pan Pacific Hotels Group to operate second hotel in Penang

Pan Pacific Hotels Group (PPHG) adds Gurney Bay Hotel, A PARKROYAL Hotel, to its diverse portfolio in Malaysia which presently consists of hotels, resorts and serviced suites. 

PPHG CEO Choe Peng Sum said of the acquisition: “The city-centre Gurney Bay Hotel, A PARKROYAL Hotel will complement PARKROYAL Penang Resort which is located right at the beach at Batu Ferringhi.”

Choe added that both the hotel and resort will benefit from the state’s expansion of Penang International Airport which is set to become the country’s second largest airport when it opens in 2028.

Ten minutes away from a cultural epicentre

Located a mere ten minutes away from the UNESCO World Heritage Site George Town, the 368-room hotel stands within the new Gurney Bay lifestyle precinct developed by the Penang State Government as part of its Penang2030 Vision.

As such, the Gurney Bay Hotel offers unblocked views of the Penang coastline, George Town and the Penang Hills, presenting guests with a relaxed setting to explore the vibrant locale.

Aligned with the PARKROYAL brand’s ethos of ‘All Things Local,’ Gurney Bay Hotel also serves as a gateway to the vibrant culture of Penang as its location enables guests to actively immerse themselves in Penang’s rich cultural heritage. 

From Penang’s renowned street food to the historic charm of its old town, the hotel invites guests to discover the true essence of this vivacious city.

For a better economy

Boosting tourism into Malaysia is one of the key reasons behind the acquisition 

Choe said: “Tourism continues to play a key role in Malaysia’s economy and the country’s vision is to bring in 35.6 million visitors with the Visit Malaysia Campaign 20261.” 

Choe cited how Penang’s economic growth surpassed the country’s growth of 8.7 percent at 13.1 percent, with the strong recovery continuing into 2023 recording the highest foreign investments in the country at MYR71.9 billion. 

Last year, the state recorded a 64 percent year-on-year increase in passenger movements to 6.9 million at Penang International Airport which accounted for 84 percent of passenger load in 2019. 

This year, the state is targeting to receive over 5 million and 7.4 million by 2030.