GEORGE TOWN, Nov 23 — The Penang state government successfully brought in Michelin Guide judges to enable its local cuisine to earn the coveted Michelin star rating, said state exco Yeoh Soon Hin.

The tourism and creative economy committee chairman said the presence of Michelin Guide in Penang will further strengthen Penang’s position as a food paradise and gastronomic destination.

"As informed by the Michelin Guide, the evaluation will encompass all food operators in Penang,” he said in his winding-up speech at the state legislative assembly today.

He called on all food operators including street hawkers to maintain a high level of quality along with good service to boost the state’s standing as a food paradise destination internationally.

He said the state was also discussing with Michelin Guide for a collaboration to market Penang as a food destination worldwide.

Other than the Michelin Guide, Yeoh said the state was also promoting its hawker food, cafes, restaurants and hotels through various platforms domestically and internationally.

Meanwhile, in terms of tourism, he said the state is also conducting a feasibility study of developing a "Songkhla-Penang Tourism Corridor”.

"This will look into a collaboration with Thailand to promote tourism and creative economy between Penang and Songkhla,” he said.

He said Thailand was a target market for Penang, with the state holding Experience Penang roadshows in Bangkok and Hat Yai this year.

As for heritage and the conservation of heritage buildings in the Unesco world heritage site of George Town, Yeoh said the George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) will be applying for a world heritage site management grant from the federal government.

"GTWHI will be applying for a RM50 million grant from the federal government to support the site management costs from 2024 to 2029,” he said.

In terms of the state’s arts industry, Yeoh said the state is now focusing on gazetting Penang’s traditional and heritage arts as national heritage.

He said these involved heritage arts such as boria, parti ghazal, bangsawan, Hokkien opera, puppet theatre and chingay.