Penang tourism operators are demanding faster government intervention as haze continues to blanket the state for more than a month, disrupting travel plans and threatening the Visit Malaysia Year 26/27 campaign.
Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) vice-president Datuk Khoo Boo Lim said the prolonged haze has already triggered booking cancellations, with tourists wary of visiting a region where air quality remains unhealthy. The Vibes reported that Khoo urged the Department of Environment (DoE) to accelerate cloud seeding plans to bring rain relief to the northern region.
“We have received reports of some cancellations and tourists generally are worried about coming into a region where the air is unhealthy,” Khoo said. He also called for firm diplomatic engagement with plantation operators in Indonesia whose slash-and-burn practices are fuelling regional hotspots, noting the haze had affected visibility and breathing even as far as Sarawak.
National Tourism Council member Eric R. Sinnaya echoed the urgency, calling on the state government to cut back outdoor events and explore new approaches to fighting air pollution, The Vibes reported.
All four Air Pollutant Index monitoring stations in Penang recorded unhealthy readings as of 16 September 2026. Minden registered 167, Balik Pulau 164, Seberang Jaya 162 and Seberang Perai 160, Bernama reported. Authorities have restricted school outdoor activities and warned that home-based learning may be imposed if readings exceed 200.
The crisis is not new. As early as 2 September, the Penang Tourist Guides Association reported roughly 20 per cent of heritage trail walking tours in George Town had been cancelled, with tourists choosing indoor shopping excursions over outdoor sightseeing, The Star reported. The association’s chairman Clement Liang said tourists “would not risk their health in a polluted environment.”
State executive councillor Daniel Gooi Zi Sen urged residents heading outdoors to wear face masks, with health authorities recommending N95 respirators. The Health Ministry has circulated guidance on coping with haze conditions, Gooi noted.
The haze has shrouded Penang since mid-August, affecting air quality and visibility across the island and mainland. Transboundary smoke from Indonesian forest fires has been identified as the primary cause, though regional diplomatic efforts to curb the practice have yet to produce results.
Tourism industry leaders warn that prolonged haze during the Visit Malaysia Year 26/27 campaign could cause lasting reputational damage. With Penang among the country’s top inbound destinations, the economic stakes extend well beyond hotel bookings to encompass tour operators, attraction operators and the retail sector.
No official timeline has been set for cloud seeding operations in the northern region, though the DoE has indicated plans are under review. Tourists and residents alike are watching the API readings closely, hoping for the rain that could clear the skies and restore confidence in Penang as a travel destination.
