However, Penang’s stress-free lifestyle, low cost of living (but increasing prices of housing), parks, sports facilities, excellent range of local and international cuisine, lively social networks, and attitudes open to change and innovation serve as invaluable counterpoints and sources of attraction. Rich cultural traditions, ample recreational and entertainment facilities, and a more sophisticated lifestyle overall, provide enhanced pull factors. For the diaspora, family and cultural ties with strong community roots intensify re-location possibilities. The state’s contribution to the Malaysian tourist industry was the third highest in the country with nearly six million tourist arrivals 2009.