Penang MICE Sector Surges With Estimated Economic Impact Of RM1.91 Bln In 2025

GEORGE TOWN, March 2 (Bernama) -- Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) activities in Penang generated about RM1.91 billion in estimated economic impact (EEI) for 2025, a significant 47.7 per cent increase compared to 2024.

State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the state hosted 3,391 events last year, welcoming more than 451,198 delegates and generating a total of 824,505 room nights. 

"These figures reflect the sector’s recovery, the trust that investors and organisers place in Penang, and the sustained confidence in our ability to deliver high-quality, high-impact business events.

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"Looking ahead, there is strong potential for further growth in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and marine-related industries," he said in his speech at the Business Events Penang 2025 Annual Review, organised by the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau here tonight. 

He added that these emerging and strategic sectors present new opportunities to attract high-value business events that are closely aligned with Penang’s long-term economic priorities. 

Wong said advancing Penang’s economic growth through corporate and professional events is a collaborative effort, involving the state government, industry stakeholders, tourism players, and the wider business events community. 

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Furthermore, he said the diverse range of events hosted in Penang, such as science, engineering, healthcare, sports, legal, languages, and literature, demonstrates the state's maturity as a MICE destination, with the capability and flexibility to support a wide spectrum of professional and knowledge-driven events.  "I am pleased to note that Penang’s business events sector continues to show robust growth," he added. 

--BERNAMA