PENANGITES seeking dream holidays made a beeline for MATTA Fair Penang 2017 now being held at the Straits Quay Convention Centre in Tanjung Tokong until tomorrow.
Among the visitors was housewife Teh Bee Sim, 48, whose family is planning a trip to Japan.
“We are looking forward to visiting Hokkaido this Christmas,” said Teh, who was accompanied by her 17-year-old son Tan Zhi Yung.
“We found many good deals but since the trip will involve our family of five, we need to hold a discussion first before returning here to book our trip.”
The fair features 133 booths by 59 exhibitors, comprising licensed tour operators and other related businesses such as hotels and theme parks.
Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said that due to the increasing demand for domestic and foreign trips and tours, the association was expecting a sales turnover of RM20mil for the three-day event.
He said the exhibitors were offering a wide range of deals and destinations for visitors.
“Last year, we recorded over 15,000 visitors with sales of around RM15mil.
“This year, we are expecting 18,000 visitors.
“According to the Penang Tourist Survey 2016, visitors in 2016 comprised 49.7% foreigners and 50.3% from other Malaysian states.
“The state recorded a high arrival figure of 6.2 million by air last year,” Tan said in his speech during the opening of the fair yesterday by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
Also present was Tourism and Culture Ministry Penang director Jonathan Freddy Bagang.
The fair is open daily from 10am to 9pm until tomorrow. Admission is free.
Besides the array of deals and packages, an attraction at the event is a custom-made inflatable igloo brought by Beautiful Planet Holiday Tour & Travel.
It measures about 5m across and 4m high.
Visitors to the igloo get the chance to try out a virtual reality tour of Iceland to see the beautiful sights there.
Those who spend RM200 or more at the fair can take part in the MATTA Fair Buyers’ Contest which offers more than RM20,000 worth of prizes such as air tickets, hotel vouchers, theme park entry passes and MPay MATTA Debit Mastercard.
The first prize comprises return flight tickets from Penang to Seoul and 4D/3N stay for two persons while the second prize comprises return flight tickets from Penang to Hong Kong and 3D/2N stay for two persons.
MATTA is collaborating with Grab as the official ride hailing partner for the fair.
Visitors can enjoy RM8 off on Grab services to and from the convention centre by keying in the promo code PGMATTA.
The discount is for a maximum of two rides per account.
Among the exhibitors are the Penang and Johor state tourism organisations.
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