Venue

 Hotel Equatorial Penang

Hotel Equatorial Penang has been selected as the venue for the Forum. It is located close to the Penang International Airport, Universiti Sains Malaysia, The WorldFish Center and the Fisheries Research Institute.

This five-star hotel boasts over 600 luxuriously furnished rooms and 22 apartments with a broad range of facilities. It is proud to be Penang’s only golf and convention resort. The internationally acclaimed 18-hole Bukit Jambul Golf Course is located next to the hotel.

Except for the excursions, all Forum activities, including registration, will take place at Hotel Equatorial Penang.

 Accommodation

Participants may choose to stay at Hotel Equatorial Penang or at the near-by Vistana Hotel. The Vistana - which has rooms as well as apartments with cooking facilities - is of international standard and is available at special rates.

Please mention your participation at the conference to secure the special conference room rates.

Hotel Equatorial Penang website

www.penang-hotels.com/equatorial

Vistana Hotel website

www.penang-hotels.com/vistana

  Background on Penang

The island of Penang is an ideal venue for the 7th Asian Fisheries Forum because its waters is home to numerous tropical marine life and has a lot of fisheries-related activities. The WorldFish Center (formerly known as ICLARM) headquarters is also located on Penang Island.

Penang is also known as the Pearl of the Orient. The state of Penang comprises Seberang Prai on the mainland and Penang Island. They are joined by the Penang Bridge (one of the longest bridges in Southeast Asia). Its population of approximately one million people is made up mainly of three major ethnic groups (Malays, Chinese and Indians). Other communities include Eurasians, Japanese, Arabs and Europeans. Both English and Bahasa Malaysia (the national language) are widely spoken in Penang. 

Major attractions in Penang include its scenic beaches, tranquil forested hills, cultural heritage and of course, its food. The inviting beaches are located along the northeastern part of the island with many tourist resorts and seafood restaurants. The city of Georgetown  (downtown Penang) is vying for the UNESCO Heritage City classification. There are many conclaves of intact old architecture as well as historic mosques, Hindu temples, Chinese clan houses, Buddhist wats, and churches of various denominations. Penang is also a food haven for gluttons as well as gourmets by virtue of its eclectic mix of ethnicity and culture. For further information, check out the following websites:

www.penang.ws

www.penangweb.com/penang/pinmap.htm

www.geographia.com/malaysia

www.tourism.gov.my

www.penang-hotels.com/suggestions.htm

www.pht.org.my

Malaysia is blessed with a tropical climate, with lots of sunshine and the occasional heavy rain. Daytime temperature is about 32°C and is slightly lower at night. Humidity is high. Light cotton clothing is best for personal comfort. The Forum venue and hotels are fully air-conditioned.

When visiting mosques and other places of worship, appropriate dressing should be observed.

(Penang is highly accessible via air and road. The Penang Bridge and a 24-hour ferry service link the island and the mainland. The Penang International Airport is served by various airlines to various parts of the world.

Copyright (C) 2003