GEORGE TOWN: With seven international flights landing in Penang tomorrow, preparations are in full swing to welcome visitors and tourists after a two-year hiatus.

       Malaysia Airports Holding Bhd said there will be five flights from Singapore, and two from Taiwan, via various airlines.

       AirAsia northern region (government relations) manager Kenneth Tan said that from tomorrow onwards, the airline is expecting flights from countries like Thailand and Indonesia too.

       “We will resume flying to and from international destinations from April 1,” he added.

       Hotels here have also gone the extra mile to make tourists feel comfortable and safe during their stay.

       At both Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa and Golden Sands Resort, extra effort has been taken to keep guests safe and feel pampered with special safety kits, QR codes and an in-house clinic.

       Their communications director Suleiman Tunku Abdul Rahman said the hotels have set up barriers to indicate the entrance and exit to make it easier for guests.

       “When they check in, we will take down their contact numbers and have them communicate with our staff via their phones throughout their stay.

       “This will reduce contact with paper. We cannot disinfect paper that’s used for brochures, menus and directories.

       “Guests will be given safety kits with mini sanitiser bottles, face masks, and instructions on Malaysia’s standard operating procedure (SOP) upon their arrival at the hotel.

       “In their rooms, instead of pamphlets or directories, there will be QR codes for various instructions and information related to the hotel as well as information on various recreational activities in Penang. They just need to just use their phone to scan through the info.

       “We are thinking of our guests, not just foreign but locals as well.

       “We have come up with a travel guide to help guests with the local SOP as we want them to have a hassle-free experience,” he added.

       Suleiman said the hotels boast an in-house clinic that is open every day for those feeling under the weather, or if they suspect they have Covid-19.

       “On top of that, we are offering free Covid-19 emergency medical insurance to guests until June 30,” he said.

       Suleiman said they have had quite a number of bookings and inquiries from abroad, most of them returning guests who have not been able to visit in the past two years.

       Flamingo Hotel by the Beach general manager Ong Hai Leong said it is prepared for foreign travellers as it would be quite similar to catering to local tourists.

       “I think it will take a month or two before tourists start pouring into Penang, once they increase the frequency of flights,” he said.