The launch of Miss SHOPhia Go Travel 2023 and the presentation of prizes for Miss SHOPhia Shopping Hunt 5.0 on Saturday saw Hon Wai (seventh from the right) and Musa (seventh from the left) expressing their gratitude to sponsors and strategic partners. The event, held in Georgetown, was a huge success, attracting participants from countries such as India, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Brunei.
Deputy Director General (Promotions) of Tourism Malaysia, Datuk Musa Yusof, highlighted that the event was an initiative to introduce participants to the attractions and beauty of Penang, which may have been previously unexplored. He emphasized that 2023 marked a new chapter for the event with international participants, ultimately raising global awareness of the beauty of Penang.
„This year, the event brings a unique persona to the city of Penang, allowing participants to experience the uniqueness of the state through this program,“ he stated. Musa made these remarks during the launch of Miss SHOPhia Go Travel 2023 and the prize presentation for Miss SHOPhia Shopping Hunt 5.0, officiated by Penang State Tourism and Creative Economy Exco, Wong Hon Wai, at Gurney Paragon Mall in Georgetown on Saturday.
Musa also expressed confidence that Malaysia is on track to surpass the target of 16.1 million international tourist arrivals this year and welcomed up to 18 million visitors to Malaysia by the end of the year. He extended his gratitude to sponsors and strategic partners who contributed to the success of the program, including Penang Global Tourism, The Top Penang, Gurney Paragon Mall, PDC Setia Urus, Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, and VISA.
The event saw approximately 52 teams participating, competing in three categories: open, media, and international. The participants were released at The Top, Komtar, on Saturday, marking the beginning of an exciting adventure in the Miss SHOPhia Shopping Hunt 5.0.
Overall, the event was a testament to the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders in promoting tourism and showcasing the beauty of Penang to a global audience. With the success of Miss SHOPhia Shopping Hunt 5.0 and the launch of Miss SHOPhia Go Travel 2023, Penang continues to solidify its position as a premier tourist destination in the region.