GEORGE TOWN, May 26 — Penang may be famous for the Unesco heritage city of George Town and the biosphere reserve up on Penang Hill but come June, hordes of visitors from all over South-east Asia and beyond will descend on the island state for its durians.
However, he warned that Penang should not be complacent about this reputation and that the state government must continue to promote Penang durians overseas. He said occupancy rates among the big hotels are up to 70 per cent while for smaller hotels and beach hotels, the occupancy rates are up to 90 per cent.
"We used to get busloads of tourists coming to Penang but now, what we get are small groups of families and friends but this is still three times more than the previous year's numbers," he said. He said the state government has come up with a pamphlet on durians with a list of durian stalls, farms and estates in the state.