PENANG TO HELP PROMOTE ACEH'S TOURISM

Banda Aceh, July 24 (ANTARA) - Malaysia's State of Penang will help promote tourism in Aceh to Malaysian and foreign tourists.

Penang Tourism Action Council (PTAC) Chairman Datuk Kee Phaik Cheen said here on Thursday this side would help promote Aceh so that foreign tourists visiting Penang would add Aceh to their itineraries.

Datuk Kee and his delegation consisting of representatives of 28 tourism agents, hotels and hospitals, were in Aceh to strengthen cooperation with counterparts in Aceh.

Aceh and Penang had close historical ties and therefore Penang had an Aceh kampong and Aceh Mosque, Datuk Kee said.

Many Aceh people had so far come to Penang for medical treatment especially, he said.

A lot of foreign tourists visiting Penang, continued their trip to Medan, North Sumatra, instead of Aceh, he said.

"We will try somehow, that after visiting Penang, foreign tourists could continue their travel to Aceh," he said.

He said that Aceh Province had many good tourist objects such as Weh Isle which is known for its marine park, and a freshwater lake in Central Aceh District.

"They are huge potentials in the tourism sector here. They should be properly managed and well promoted," Kee Phaik Cheen said.