George Town vs Shenzhen

Shenzhen leads George Town by 1 points on the CIRA Index, 72 to 71. George Town grades better on 8 measures, Shenzhen on 2; the same 35 measures from public sources for both.

Scores by each organisation's criteria

• CIRA Index: George Town 71, Shenzhen 72
• OECD: George Town 70, Shenzhen 64
• UN Tourism: George Town 77, Shenzhen 73
• UNDRR: George Town 69, Shenzhen 61

Theme by theme

• Demand and seasonality: George Town 71, Shenzhen 55
• Economy and jobs: George Town 67, Shenzhen 92
• Climate and hazards: George Town 55, Shenzhen 45
• Water and environment: George Town 88, Shenzhen 69
• Community and housing: George Town 75, Shenzhen 100
• Access and continuity: George Town 75, Shenzhen 63

Where George Town is stronger

• Nights in the three busiest months: 29 % of annual nights (country figure) (World Economic Forum, TTDI 2026 (data: UN Tourism by United Nations World Tourism Organization), 2024, 2025 moving average). At or below 30: grade 4/4.
• Largest foreign market: 37.9 % of international arrivals or nights (region figure) (Penang State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee / Immigration Department of Malaysia (Penang branch), via Buletin Mutiara, 2024). Between 30 and 40: grade 1/4.
• Wildfire and storm hazard: low (region figure) (World Bank GFDRR ThinkHazard, current (retrieved 2026)). Grade 3/4.
• Water scarcity: very low (region figure) (World Bank GFDRR ThinkHazard, current (retrieved 2026)). Grade 4/4.
• Municipal waste per resident: 368.7 kg per resident per year (Buletin Mutiara (Penang State Government), 2024). Between 350 and 450: grade 3/4.
• Tourism crisis and recovery plan: A plan with named owners, operators and recovery funding (Penang State Government / George Town World Heritage Incorporated, 2021-2030). Grade 3/4.
• Travel advisory: 1 stricter of the US and Canadian government advisory for the country, 1 (normal precautions) to 4 (do not travel) (country figure) (US State Department and Government of Canada travel advisories, 2026-09-29). At or below 1: grade 4/4.
• Dedicated tourism funding: A dedicated source such as a tourist tax or levy (Free Malaysia Today / The Straits Times, 2024-2025). Grade 2/4.

Where Shenzhen is stronger

• Jobs in tourism industries: 5.4 % of employment in accommodation and food services (country figure) (World Economic Forum, TTDI 2026 (data: Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Research by World Travel & Tourism Council; Travel & Tourism by World Travel & Tourism Council), 2026). At or below 8: grade 4/4.
• Access redundancy: 4 independent ways in: international airport, intercity rail, port, motorway (Shenzhen Government Online, 2024). At or above 4: grade 4/4.

Country context (World Economic Forum)

• Malaysia: #26 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026
• China: #8 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026

George Town in full · Shenzhen in full

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