GEORGE TOWN, Dec 17 (Bernama) — Penang’s home-grown nature learning destination Entopia today marked a major milestone with the signing of an exclusive franchising agreement with DEMED Group of Turkiye, paving the way for its expansion into eight countries and positioning it on the global stage.
Entopia managing director Joseph Goh said the agreement would see DEMED Group serve as Entopia’s exclusive franchising partner for Turkiye, Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt and Greece over the next decade.
"The agreement marks the organisation’s most ambitious expansion to date and builds on a four-decade journey that began with the founding of Penang Butterfly Farm in 1986.
“From a sanctuary founded by my father to the rebirth of Entopia in 2016, each decade has brought growth, learning and transformation. Today, we are ready to take our philosophy of nature learning across borders,” he said at the signing ceremony here today.
Goh added that two Entopia projects are planned for each of the eight countries, reflecting confidence in the brand’s educational and conservation-driven model.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said after witnessing the signing ceremony that the partnership comes at a timely juncture for Penang given that the state's tourism sector is not only recovering, but also maturing.
Chow said Penang welcomed over 8.2 million hotel guests in 2024, while from January to November this year, Penang International Airport recorded approximately 7.22 million passenger movements, representing a 5.94 per cent year-on-year increase.
Meanwhile, DEMED Group honorary president and president of the Turkish Travel Agencies Association Firuz Bağlıkaya said the collaboration was founded on shared values and a common commitment to inspiring and educating communities through nature-based experiences.
“Our decision to work with Entopia came naturally. We believe Entopia’s story has the power to reach audiences far beyond Malaysia,” he added.
— BERNAMA
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