A press conference was held today, chaired by YB Wong Hon Wai, Penang State EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy, and Mr. Ashwin Gunasekeran, Chief Executive Officer of the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB), to acknowledge and congratulate the Penang-based winners for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the tourism, hospitality, and business events sectors.
Penang’s strong showing at the awards reflects the state’s continued excellence as a leading destination for tourism, hospitality, heritage experiences, attractions, hotels, convention venues, and business events.
The recognition also highlights the dedication of industry players who continue to strengthen Penang’s position as a competitive and dynamic destination in Malaysia and the wider Asian region. Speaking at the press conference, YB Wong Hon Wai congratulated all winners and expressed pride in Penang’s achievement
“These awards are a strong testament to the quality, creativity, and resilience of Penang’s tourism and hospitality industry. Each winner represents the hard work and commitment of our industry players in delivering meaningful experiences, excellent service, and worldclass offerings.
Penang’s success at the Asian Tourism & Hospitality Awards 2025–26 reinforces our position as one of the region’s most vibrant destinations for tourism and business events,” said YB Wong. He added that the recognition also aligns with the State Government’s ongoing efforts to grow Penang’s tourism and creative economy ecosystem through stronger industry collaboration, destination development, and international visibility.
Mr. Ashwin Gunasekeran also extended his congratulations to the winners, noting that the achievements reflect the growing strength of Penang’s business events and hospitality sectors. “Penang’s 12 wins are not only a proud moment for the winners, but also for the entire state. These recognitions show that Penang continues to stand out through its strong hospitality products, world-class venues, heritage offerings, and committed industry leadership. We are proud to continue working closely with our partners to position Penang as a preferred destination for business events, tourism, and meaningful experiences,” said Mr. Ashwin.
The Penang winners of the Asian Tourism & Hospitality Awards 2025–26 are:
1. YB Wong Hon Wai Outstanding State Tourism Leader – Penang 2025
2. Mr. Ashwin Gunasekeran International Business Events Leadership Award 2025 – Celebrating 10 Years of Transformational Impact
3. Entopia Leading Tourist Attraction of the Year 2025 – Malaysia
4. Goche Corporation Leading Heritage Tourism Product of the Year 2025 – Malaysia
5. G Hotel Gurney Leading Luxury Hotel of the Year 2025 – Malaysia
6. G Hotel Gurney Leading MICE Venue of the Year 2025 – Hotel Category
7. Citadines Connect Bertam Georgetown Penang Leading New Urban Lifestyle Hotel of the Year 2025 – Malaysia
8. PICCA Convention Centre Penang Leading Convention Centre of the Year 2025
9. Holiday Inn Suites Penang Prai Leading Business Events Destination Hotel 2025 – Malaysia
10.Holiday Inn Suites Penang Prai Leading Hotel General Manager of the Year 2025 – Northern Region, Malaysia
11.Holiday Inn Suites Penang Prai Leading New Hotel of the Year 2025 – Malaysia
12.Iconic Marjorie Hotel, Penang – a Tribute Portfolio Hotel Leading Conference Hotel of the Year 2025 – Northern Region, Malaysia
The press conference served as a platform to recognise the winners and celebrate their contributions towards enhancing Penang’s tourism and hospitality landscape. Their achievements continue to support Penang’s destination branding and strengthen the state’s appeal to both domestic and international markets.
Tags: Penang Asian Tourism & Hospitality Awards 2025–26 Ashwin Gunasekeran, Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau
